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feminaexlux · 3 years ago

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Photo Op

For @spikartxx and @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers! Happy very late Valentine’s day. Apologies for the lateness, the mods and I weren’t sure if we were going to get a late entry or not. I did a pinch-hit since I loved one of your prompts :)

Also it's Thirsty Thursday ;)

Original Prompts:

A Lady Noir / Luka kind of dynamic? Where Marinette gets to be the one flustering Luka instead of the other way? Delicious Idk just kind of hungry for a playful flirting between them (maybe with a brave Marinette at the end being as flirty with Luka in her civil form and them together lol I JUST WANT A HAPPY ENDING WITH THEM)

Read on AO3 here!

⁂

Luka was desperately pedaling his bike as fast as he could toward danger. This was happening more and more often in his rather short career as a human being (that he seriously hoped he didn't just make shorter). But he had to do something to try and alert Ladybug and/or Chat Noir when there was a new akuma. Two new akumas. Luka was pretty sure he could legitimately help the superheroes with these two akumas because they were his Ma and his sister before Shadowmoth got a hold of them.

Juleka had become Reflekta (again...). His mom became a sentient flying pirate ship called The Nanarchy after merging with the Liberty. They ganged up and the duo was wreaking havoc on Paris as akuma were wont to do, shooting Reflekta-cloning beams at every person and firing speaker-cannons at every building. All because Jagged wouldn't stop being Jagged.

Jule and Luka's dad had popped in for an unexpected visit (again...) and this time, he brought Fang! Both man and croc made a new, personal doorway entrance through the side of the Liberty, giving Jagged direct access to his progeny and Fang direct access to Juleka's yummy looking stuffies and clay models. The situation deteriorated rapidly with the twins' Ma coming down to get into a yelling match with Jagged and making things way more confusing due to an increasingly thick Scottish accent, and Juleka simultaneously wailing at and wailing on Fang for her toys which of course lead to everything tearing and breaking when Fang panic!death-rolled to get away from Juleka. Poor Luka had just been caught up trying to mediate both and failed miserably to help either!

And now he was biking as fast and as far as his lanky legs would take him, praying to every God in every Pantheon he knew that he'd find one or both of Adrien Agreste and Marinette Dupain-Cheng soon (but mostly Marinette, if he was gonna be honest). Luka wasn't sure if it was his luck or just... because he was Luka that he hadn't gotten hit by Reflekta beams nor blasted by Nanarchy speakers. Maybe his Ma and sister were giving him a pass? But in case they forgot about that pass any time soon Luka had put in earplugs and duct taped a mirror to his bike helmet and strapped another mirror on his back.

He made his way to Tom and Sabine's Boulangerie, panting hard and sweating profusely. He burst through the bakery door and rolled from a tumble off his bike, wheezing out apologies and promises to clean up after while he climbed the stairs up two at a time to get to Marinette. God, why were there SO MANY STEPS to get to her? And he had to climb a ladder to get to her room! He slammed his fist against her hatch door three times to give her a heads up. "Sorry Marinette! I need you to--" The hatch door flung open to his surprise and he got pulled to her room up by his lapels.

He was suddenly eye level with a very shocked pair of intensely green cat eyes. Except the owner of the cat eyes was a full head shorter than Luka was so he was still partially dangling through the hatch. "H-Hi?"

The girl apparently knew him? "Luka?!" The sound was muffled and he realized he still had earplugs in.

"Is... Is Marinette here?" he panted, exhausted as hell, removing an earplug from one ear.

"Why are you looking for Marinette?" the Black Cat Hero asked, taking his arm over her shoulder and helping walk him across Marinette's room to sit down on Marinette's chaise.

"She... Marinette's usually able to get Ladybug and Chat Noir, there's... there're two akuma out there now," he wheezed, pulling out the other earplug and blushing when he became suddenly intensely aware that there was a super hot girl in a skin tight black cat suit right in front of him holding onto his arm while he probably smelled of awful teenage boy and wheezed awful teenage boy breath on her with his awful teenage puberty cracking boy voice. But where was Marinette? "Uh... why are you in her room? And who are you?"

"B-Because sh-she called for me and she wanted me to make sure that her family was safe b-before she took off to hide!" She pulled back a bit and pulled out a baton from her back to fiddle with it. She was stupid cute and the way she moved and sway of her thick braid of black hair reminded Luka of a song that said something like you are a cinema, I'd watch you forever. "M-My name is La-Lady Noire. I'm Chat's um... substitute for today? Maybe forever," she said, a little unsure of herself.

Once he stopped being so mesmerized by her Luka asked "Is… Chat Noir okay? And Ladybug knows about the change? Are you okay with this?"

She sighed. "Yeah, everyone's okay, it's… just new. Ladybug... even suggested this change up! I'll… I'll be fine, I know it. And Mr Bug will be fine too, I'll make sure--"

"Mister Bug?"

"Oh, yeah. Um. Yeah new hero there too," Lady Noire said. "Well, he's Ladybug's substitute. He's handled it once before, now he can handle all of it," Lady Noire said a little cynically with an eyeroll. "Yeah. Anyway! Um! Marinette's okay, she's just... hunkered down somewhere and she'll be just fine. Thank you for checking up on her, Luka." Lady Noire smiled at him and he noticed just a tiny bit of fangs. His tongue passed over his own canines, wondering how the fangs would feel if he kissed her...

Oh God why was he imagining that? Oh jeez he needed to calm down. He needed to... to focus on the akumas! "The-The akumas are my mmm…" Luka said distractedly, staring at Lady Noire's lips as they curled upward into a smirk.

"Mmm?" Lady Noire teased, leaning in toward Luka. "Are your…?"

He felt fresh sweat on the back of his neck as he blushed harder, forcing himself to look up at her eyes. "Mmmy sister and my... Ma."

Lady Noire looked more serious now. "Oh, I'm sorry. But don't you worry, Luka, Mr Bug and I will handle it. Thank you for giving me that information. I'll save your family!" She started turning to get ready to leave.

He started reaching out for her but pulled back before he grabbed her hand. "Wait! W-Wait, can… Can I come with you?" Luka panicked a little because she was going to leave without him! And he... he could help? It wasn't at all because he found her cute, no...

Her eyebrows furrowed. "That's a bad idea, why would you want to do that?"

Surprisingly it didn't take too long to come up with a reason because he had been thinking about this all through his journey. "I know why they got akumatized, I was there when it happened. I can talk to them and get them to calm down (hopefully)! Make it easier on you for your first time? I think they'll listen more if it's coming from me. I'll try to not get in your way."

She frowned a little but nodded. "I guess we can try, but I'm putting you somewhere safe the moment it gets dangerous." Lady Noire grabbed a hold of his waist after putting his arm over her shoulder, leaping up onto Marinette's bed and through the opened balcony entrance.

His heart was going to explode sometime soon. Luka's pulse was racing and he wasn't sure if it was because he was several hundred meters in the air or because Lady Noire had winked and whispered into his ear to hold on tight. He was certain that if he wasn't focusing on his being airborne and almost falling to his death even with Lady Noire holding onto him, he'd be incredibly awkward about being bodily pressed up against a super hot girl.

She must have seen where Mr Bug was because she changed direction after a few leaps. The baton extended and slowed down their descent to meet up with the other hero.

"You sure took your time getting here, Kitten," Mr Bug scowled as Lady Noire let Luka down, all three on the roof of a building nearby the action.

"No later than you usually do, Mr Bug," Lady Noire shot back. "But I brought a friend!"

"Yeah, I noticed. Hey there... civilian. I see you brought some mirrors, that's smart," Mr Bug said, patting Luka on the back after pulling off the mirror from Luka's bike helmet. "Looks like we have a flying pirate ship. Someone's gotta be up there piloting it."

Luka nodded. "Yeah, my sister's on the ship and the ship's my Ma, both of them are akumatized."

"What happened?" Lady Noire asked. "Forgot to ask earlier."

Luka frowned. "... Jagged."

"Ahhh," both of the heroes said simultaneously. Luka nodded sadly.

"Do you know what powers they have?" Mr Bug asked Luka.

"Yeah, my sister shoots lasers from her hand to turn people into copies of her and my Ma's... a flying pirate ship that shoots cannon balls that blast noise at people."

Mr Bug put his hands on his hips. "What were the chances we'd have to fight Reflekta again like this? Alright, let's see what Lucky Charm we get." He called up the Lucky Charm and a red and black bicycle wheel fell into his hands. "... Huh? What... do I do here?"

"Think fast, Mr Bug. It's time to get a move on," Lady Noire said, coming across rather unhelpful to Mr Bug. "We only have 5 minutes now." Luka couldn't help but sense a tiny bit of smug satisfaction coming from Lady Noire.

Mr Bug sighed. "I know, I know, I'll figure out what to do with this thing. Look, can you get Lu--the civilian to safety?"

Luka chimed in quickly. "Wait, let me see if I can get my Ma down here. I can call them over and then you two can board when the Liberty's grounded," Luka suggested.

"Not a bad plan, I guess," Mr Bug shrugged. "Lady Noire, I'll leave that to you." Lady Noire nodded and took Luka by the waist again and leapt off the building, landing them safely next to the Seine banks.

Luka noticed that the akumas were zeroing in on other civilians and he yelled up at them, trying to get their attention. "MA! JULEKA! HEEEEYYYY!" Luka yelled at the top of his lungs. He sprinted at a group of people and just barely managed to push out his mirror and bounce off the Reflekta laser beam away from them as they fled the area. He desperately hoped he could actually do his part to draw the Nanarchy down closer so that Mr Bug and Lady Noire would be able to board.

So far it wasn't going as expected. "Luka ye daft landlubber get ye away from here! Git!" Nanarchy boomed, shooting the speaker cannons near him to force him to run. All of a sudden there was a blast wave and he got knocked off his feet--wait no, Lady Noire was the one who had jumped at him and rolled them both away from the cannons. And now they landed in the precarious situation where she was on top of him with his hands in her hair trying to protect her head.

She looked at him and cracked a smile. "I could get used to being like this."

"Being shot at?"

"Being on top of you," she winked. He must have blushed something fierce because she giggled.

"Hey! Get your dirty paws off of my brother you stupid stray!" Reflekta yelled, aiming the ship down to shoot at Lady Noire. Okay, oddly that worked in drawing the ship down. Luka would take what he could get.

"Looks like Plan Grounding is working," Lady Noire said quickly, getting them to their feet. "But we need to move on to Plan De-Evilizing!" She took his hand and they took off running, dodging cannon and laser blasts coming from the Nanarchy. "And now it's getting dangerous so I need to get you somewhere safe!"

"Maybe if you tear Ma's sails down she won't be able to fly off again?!" Was that true? Luka hoped that was true.

"Alright, I'll try! But you!" They ran to a photobooth and Lady Noire pushed Luka inside, ejecting two earplugs from her baton. "Stay here, use these! I'll come back for you after we're done, stay safe!" She reached out her hand to let him take the earplugs and booped him on the nose before closing the door.

Luka set the earplugs in and laid back in the booth, not totally sure that a photobooth was the safest place to lay low. He heard a few distant booms and the ground shook and vibrated a bit, so it was probably okay to assume that the heroes were still dealing with his akumatized family.

The next few minutes had Luka sitting alone with his thoughts, filling his mind with images of Lady Noire. He didn't figure he'd be saying this so soon but… maybe he was interested in someone other than Marinette Dupain-Cheng and moving on already? And Lady Noire seemed to be interested in him, with the way she was always touching him? That was a sign that girls liked you right?

But ugh it was just like 20 minutes that he met Lady Noire jeez. And she was a hero, what would she do with a boy like him anyway? Would she date him as a superhero? Wait, did she even want to date him? But even if it'd just been 20 minutes he was pretty sure she was touching him like 90% of that time. If she did like him and want to date Luka was maybe willing to try, it wasn't like he--

A flash went off and he realized that the photobooth had taken a picture. After a couple of seconds another flash and another picture. He nearly jumped through the roof when another face showed up next to his in the reflection and flash. He turned and looked into the bright green eyes of Lady Noire. She leaned in and he figured she was going to tell him something and instead felt her kiss him on the cheek. Flash.

She gently plucked out the earplugs from his ears. "Haha, I'm so sorry I scared you!"

He could feel that his face was on fire. "H-Hey Lady Noire," he said lamely. "It's--I'm fine. What's up?"

"The tip you gave me about tearing the sails came in handy! Mr Bug and I were able to stop the ship from taking off again. We've defeated the akumas and your mom and sister are fine now. I'm here to take you home," she winked.

But… wait, did he just spend the last several minutes spazzing out over Lady Noire? Oh jeez. And he kinda just left his bike at the Dupain-Cheng's. "I… I left all my stuff at the Boulangerie on Rue Gotlib, I should go back there…?"

Lady Noire looked a little nervous but tried to hide it. "Um, you know I'm good friends with Marinette, I'll ask her to get your stuff back to you! Plus I think you need to get back to your family right away, right? Make sure they're okay with Jagged?"

Oh shoot, there was still his dad to deal with. "Yeah, you're right." Luka said, sighing.

"Great! Let's get you out of here. Oh, wait," Lady Noire grabbed the pictures from the photobooth and tucked them in Luka's front pocket. "A souvenir!"

⁂

Marinette pulled up to the Liberty with Luka's bike less than an hour later. Even though Luka was taller than she was, her legs were still long enough to reach the pedals. She got over the gangplank and laid the bike against the ship railing, placing the bike stand down so it didn't tip over. She also unbuckled her pink helmet and set it in the bike basket.

Luka had bought her her own helmet. Because of course he had. And he'd brought it somehow when he was panicking and trying to find her so she could get Ladybug. Or, in this case, Lady Noire.

It seemed like things were settling down and she heard some guitar strumming from behind the stage. She walked around and saw Luka lying back in his preferred chillaxing spot playing his acoustic. "Hey Luka," Marinette greeted.

He smiled up at her, beatific. "Hey Marinette. I'm glad to see you."

She blushed a little. "I brought your bike back. I-I mean Lady Noire asked me to get your stuff back to you so I thought I'd do just that and h-here I am!"

"Thanks," he said. "I really appreciate that." He sat up and she noticed he seemed a little unsure of himself. "If you want I can walk you back home? Unless you needed to talk to Juleka."

"Kicking me out already?" Marinette teased.

He blanched. "No, no, nev--no. I... was just... uh."

"Maybe I also want to talk with you for a little bit, too." She sat down right next to him. He blinked in surprise but didn't move. "Maybe I wanted to know what you think about Lady Noire?"

He blushed and turned away a bit for some reason. "She's... nice."

"Nice?" Marinette probed. "Is that all? Do you like her? She seems to like you a lot."

He looked at her, eyes opened wide. "Sh-She does?"

"She told me she thinks you're cute," Marinette giggled, leaning in a little.

Luka blushed harder. "... She did?"

"And what's this?" Marinette reached over and pulled something from his front jacket pocket and looked it over. "Wow, I'm jealous."

"Wh-What?"

"Look, the camera captured the moment Lady Noire kissed you!"

He looked dumbfounded. "She kissed me?"

"In this picture here," she pointed at the last picture.

He blushed hard, taking the strip of pictures in his hand and staring at it with his mouth hung open for a few seconds. "She kissed me," he said in disbelief.

Marinette sighed. "I have some stiff competition," she muttered out loud.

He looked dizzy. "Wh-What was that?"

She took his face in her hands and kissed him. "There, now I'm even with Lady Noire."

#fxl fic #lbsc exchange 2022 #lukanette #pro lukamari #lukanette endgame #endgame lukanette #luka couffaine #lady noire #mister bug #marinette dupain cheng

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writtenbyrain · 3 years ago

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Fatal Familiarity

Summary: When Luka wakes up in a dark, warped version of the Paris he knows, he'll come face-to-face with a deadly and mistrusting version of the girl he loves. Can he keep her calm long enough to stay alive while he figures out how, exactly, he got here?

Words: 1,972

Notes: This is written for @feminaexlux for the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers (LBSC) 2022 Valentine's Day Exchange! I'm your secret admirer... again! So happy Valentine's Day, lovely. I hope you enjoy this new fic and that you have a day that is as wonderful as you are! 💕Also, I'd like to thank @MalcolmReynolds for being a wonderful beta reader.

Everything smelled like smoke.

Luka’s head was reeling, his memories as clouded and murky as the sky above.

Groaning in equal parts pain and effort, he rolled onto his side, bracing his body with one elbow beneath him while his other hand cradled the back of his neck.

Despite his body’s protests, he stayed in that position for some time, trying to make sense of the scene before him. After all, what he was looking at was Paris, but also… somehow distinctly not his Paris.

Finally, Luka stood and walked to the edge of the rusted beam on the Eiffel Tower he had awoken on. Scanning the dim skyline, he felt as though the world had been lightly stained by an overturned pot of ink; the faded buildings stood in stark relief against a slate-gray sky, the smoke from chimney tops slowly entwined with the dying embers of burned buildings below.

“Who are you?”

Luka spun on his heel, coming face-to-face with the embodiment of distrust.

Marinette?

She was clad in an ill-fitted suit of red with black spots marring the fabric. Given the sorry condition of her boots, Luka was surprised he hadn’t heard her sneak up behind him.

“Ladybug.” He swallowed uneasily. “What are you… what happened to your costume?”

One eyebrow twitched up a fraction in skepticism while her left hand hovered closer to the grapple at her waist.

“My costume?”

Luka still couldn’t seem to get even the beginning of a grasp on what was going on. Marinette didn’t know that he knew her identity as Ladybug, sure, but Ladybug should still be able to recognize him.

“Well, yeah,” he stammered, gesturing loosely to her torso. “You don’t usually look…. Like this. Do you not have your kwami or your powers right now?”

His question was met with prolonged silence. The only movement he could discern was the wary narrowing of her eyes.

“I don’t know who you are,” she said slowly, “but what you’re saying to me right now sure as hell doesn’t make any sense.”

Her fingers tightened around the grapple.

“Are you working for Monsieur Gabriel?”

“You… you mean Gabriel Agreste?” he asked. “No, you know I’m not. Come on, Ladybug, it’s me. Luka. What’s going on?”

He glanced back out at the charred and disparate city below.

“And what happened to Paris?”

He couldn’t remember what had happened before he had awoken again, but surely an akuma battle couldn’t have gone so far south, not this quickly, without him realizing it.

At his last question, however, Ladybug wrinkled her nose in disgust.

“We don’t know each other. And if you don’t understand why the city looks this way, clearly you’re not from here." She turned stiffly, glowering over her shoulder. “Now get out of this neighborhood before one of my clients hires me to kill you.”

Water had rushed up from below. Luka had been standing on the bridge overlooking the Seine, trying to determine how best to reach the fray of the akuma battle before he was sent toppling over the edge—

“Wait, Ladybug, I—”

Luka rushed over to grab her wrist but, before he could reach her, Ladybug had swiftly twisted his grip against him and shoved him to his knees.

“Don’t touch me,” she snarled. Her grip was merciless, and Luka only flinched further at the sound of her voice. “I don’t know who you are or what you want, but clearly you have a death wish.”

She used her free hand to slide a short dagger from its sheath at the base of her back.

Luka had no choice but to steady his breath. Responding with too much emotion would likely inflame the situation further.

“No, I don’t,” he murmured, leveling his gaze with hers. “I’m just worried. I don’t understand what’s going on. Why didn’t your Miraculous ladybugs fix all of this? And why are you saying you don’t know me?”

Another beat of uncomfortable silence met his words before she pushed his wrist away and retracted her hand. Before Luka could react, the dagger was pointed toward his face.

“Because I don’t know you.” Ladybug took a threatening step forward, and it took all of Luka’s self-control to keep from shrinking away. “And as I’ve said, you’re not making any sense. I’m a mercenary, not a miracle worker. I don’t know what you’ve heard about me, exactly, but you’re either mistaken or about to make a mistake.”

In the distance, another fire emerged. The flames wasted no time licking their way gluttonously up the side of the structure. Meanwhile, Ladybug didn’t so much as give a glance toward the building, which Luka doubted was empty.

Whatever lives were in there were clearly no concern of hers.

What the team needed was Viperion; Luka knew as soon as he saw Chat Noir disappear under the blow of ShadowMoth’s latest villain. The team needed more time, but before Luka could get close enough, he found himself plunging into the murky waters of the Seine. The last thing he heard was Pegasus’s voice.

“You’re a mercenary,” Luka repeated, dumbfounded. This was Ladybug, yes… Just not his Ladybug. “Why are you a mercenary?”

She recoiled, her breath hissing through her nose in frustration before she lunged forward to yank Luka’s head back by his hair. The edge of her dagger now kissed his throat.

“Why do you ask? You’re asking an awful lot of questions for someone unarmed.”

“It’s a long story,” Luka gasped, straining against her grip. “One you’re not likely to believe. Just like I can’t believe you’d truly choose to be a mercenary.”

Ladybug knelt on one knee so that their eyes would be about even.

“What are you so sure I wouldn’t believe?” she whispered menacingly. “Try me. Either you convince me or you die.”

Luka’s mind began to race.

He knew that this was Paris, but not his Paris.

He knew that this was Ladybug, but not his Ladybug.

So, how did he get… here? And where was here?

Luka struggled to remember.

Pegasus’s voice was the last thing he heard, the hero's call to Voyage tearing open a portal beneath the bridge.

A bead of sweat dripped down Luka’s temple under Ladybug’s scrutiny. His knees begged for relief as they bore nearly all of his weight against the metal, but he didn’t dare move for fear that the dagger would only press further into the thin skin over his throat.

“Well?” Ladybug demanded.

“I’m not from here,” Luka said quietly. “I… I fell.”

Yes, he fell into Pegasus’s portal from Voyage, but that shouldn’t be enough to radically change the world’s existence as he knew it. After all, this world didn’t have any Miraculous. In fact, for all he knew, magic didn’t exist here whatsoever.

What else had happened?

Fighting against every instinct, Luka closed his eyes, struggling to reach back into what must have happened mere minutes prior.

Before Luka lost his grip on the bridge, Bunnyx — the newest of all the Miraculous holders — had leaped forward in a desperate attempt to help. He didn’t hear her as he fell, but he saw Pegasus’s portal ripple as a new power was overlaid on top of it.

That had to be it.

He was no Guardian, he didn’t have the knowledge Marinette did, but to intertwine the powers of the horse and rabbit Miraculouses? Well, that would likely yield an unstable product of some sort. The likes of which he had quite literally fallen into.

“You fell into what?” Ladybug’s voice directed his focus back onto the pinprick of pressure just above his Adam’s apple.

There was no way this version of Ladybug — this version of Marinette — was going to believe he had stumbled his way into an alternate dimension or universe of some sort.

For once in his life, Luka had to admit that the truth would be of little aid to him. The best he could hope to do was calm her down and potentially stall for time until the heroes of his world managed to figure out where he went.

If he was lucky, the Miraculous ladybugs would return him to the bridge in his world as soon as they had won whatever akuma battle raged on.

“I fell… I fell into the wrong hands,” Luka lied. “I was trying to protect my family but accidentally got mixed up with… with… Monsieur Gabriel.”

The dagger wavered momentarily.

“So you’re not working for him?”

“No, I never meant to get involved with his people. But I don’t know how to prove it to you.”

“Then how did you end up here?” Ladybug jerked her chin to gesture at the Eiffel Tower itself while her eyebrows remained furrowed beneath her thin mask.

“I don’t know,” Luka admitted quickly. “His people must have dumped me here when they realized I was of no real use to them. I just want to get back and make sure my loved ones are okay.”

It was a thin lie, easily punched through with little more than a few follow-up questions, and she likely knew it.

But, miraculously, Ladybug relented.

“Fine,” she said, taking a step back and sheathing the dagger once more behind her back. Luka fought the urge to smooth down the hair at the nape of his neck that she had finally released. “I’ll give you this one chance to leave. And if I ever see you again with so much as a suspicious grin on your face, I will not hesitate to kill you, regardless of whether or not someone has paid for your head.”

Luka couldn’t find it in him to do anything other than nod mutely.

Meanwhile, Ladybug took a few more steps backward toward the edge of the beam, her gaze remaining resolutely on Luka before she finally removed the grapple from her belt and swung her way down the tower.

Holding his breath, Luka counted to ten before he slumped gratefully against the cold metal. And not long after, he found himself swathed in a fluttering wash of red and white.

The stench of smoke was swiftly replaced by the familiar clean breezes he often relished by the side of the Seine.

_______

A couple of days later, Viperion found himself warily watching passersby from atop the Eiffel Tower, the evening skyline blissfully devoid of fire or veils of gray.

“I’m a mercenary, not a miracle worker.”

He didn’t know what horrors Marinette would have to face to eventually push her to become a harbinger of senseless death, seeking nothing more than the reward of financial gain, but he knew he was grateful to live in a world where the hero he knew was beloved for more than her generosity.

And he loved her for more than that, too.

“Viperion?”

Ladybug dropped down beside him, expectantly stretching out one hand. Her trusting smile, familiar with or without a mask, was a balm to his heart.

“Right,” he said, turning toward her. “Sass, scales rest.”

Luka savored the cool release of the Miraculous’s powers. The fade of blue down his torso reminded him of the lilting lines of a ballad, particularly as he was always a little sad to see Sass leave him after a battle — along with the gentle melody of the girl who called upon him so frequently.

“You did well today, Viperion,” Ladybug said, dropping the bracelet into her yo-yo. “Thank you again for always wielding Second Chance with the precision and care our team needs.”

Luka smiled.

“I’m always happy to help, Ladybug.”

Without thinking, he gently brushed her bangs away from her face before running his thumb along her jawline. The rhythm of his heart quickened as he saw a faint blush rise beneath the girl’s mask.

She took a tentative step forward and tipped her face up toward his.

“You can always rely on me,” he murmured, closing the space between them. “After all… you know me.”

#lukanette #lbscexchange #lbsc exchange 2022 #luka couffaine #marinette dupain cheng #ladybug #miraculousladybug #miraculous fanfic #AU #alternate universe #pro lukamari

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airi-p4 · 3 years ago

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LBSC Secret Admirer Exchange 2022 - Incorrigible

Hi! Here’s my story for the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers Secret Admirer Exchange 2022 for the lovely @haphira 💕

I had to rush it because I couldn’t find much time to write, but I hope you like it 😊

Happy Valentine’s Day 💖

Summary: It's Marinette and Luka's anniversary, and he invites her over the Liberty. They spend a romantic evening, talking about the past, the present... And everything is perfect... But of course this was Paris, and it was asking too much for Ladybug to have some peace, right?

Rated T bc it includes a few lines of mentioned/implied sex. It also includes some SALT ( but overall is FLUFF )

AO3

_________________________________________

It was a chilly evening outside. The sun had recently set and the cold February breeze howled through the Liberty's green area's partitions.

At one side of the room, close to the window, a table was carefully set. A white tablecloth with flowers embroidery, a pair of glasses filled with water (the champagne was for much later), and plates already empty of the exquisite food they contained until just a minute ago. Around and on the table, some candles were set. Not scented ones, in case they would overpower the fragrance of the white and pink flowers that accompanied each candle, or the bouquet of lovely flowers that rested in the glass between the happy couple. Flowers that certainly weren’t roses, especially red ones. Never those.

Some star-shaped lights were attached and hanging from the glass ceiling, as if they were shooting stars under the starry sky under them. And, of course, music couldn't be left out. Some violin music, songs that Luka recorded for that sole purpose, completed the romantic setting.

Everything was like their relationship: not too much, not too little- just right. Right for them, right for each other. Perfect.

Perfectly right.

"I can't believe you've prepared all this for me.... Thank you, Luka" Marinette smiled, reaching to rest her hand over her boyfriend's on the table and caressing it lightly with her thumb.

"It's my pleasure, Marinette, the least I could do. It's our anniversary, I wanted to give you a proper celebration this year." He turned his hand under hers to intertwined fingers with his girlfriend, returning her affection.

"You outdid yourself… Everything is perfect. The setting, the music… the meal was delicious…” she said, staring into his eyes.

He returned her a soft smile. “I'm glad you like it”

"I love it. Was that my uncle's soup and my mother's dumplings recipes? Oh- and my grandfather’s bread recipe too!?"

"Could you tell? I'm not as good a cook as them, but I wanted to cook something special. Just for you"

"I knew it!" Luka laughed at her cute satisfied smile for solving the mystery by herself. "It's so delicious I could easily tell. I'm impressed. How did you get them to teach you while you were abroad? You're amazing!"

"Thank you" he didn’t even try to hide how proud he was of himself, and Marinette smiled at it. She then focused on the bouquet resting on the vase of the table.

"All these flowers smell so good... Are they from Mylene and Ivan's flower shop?" she asked, enjoying their fragrance.

"The best flowers from the best flower shop in Paris, for the best and most extraordinary woman in the world" he winked.

"I love how supportive you are of your friends,” she snickered.

“You know it’s true, though!” he leaned his head to the side, confident, his hand still caressing hers. “They do have the best flowers. The ones that smell the best of all Paris”

“I know” she stuck her tongue out, playful. “And I also know you're the best boyfriend ever. Never change or stop spoiling me" she hummed. Luka loved it when she did that.

"Not in my plans" he smiled, lovestruck. "I love you" his fingers tangled stronger around Marinette’s, and she responded with the same action.

"I love you too"

Amid the fantastic night scenery together with the setting of the Liberty’s green area, they got lost into each other’s eyes for a long moment before leaning closer and finally finding ease after their lips touched and melted in a peaceful, soft kiss that made their souls soar somewhere celestial. They separated, satisfied, never stopping their loving stare and their hands never getting apart.

"This can't be any more perfect… I-" Marinette started, but was cut by Luka before she could continue.

"Shhh… there's still dessert" he informed.

"There's more?" Her eyes opened wide. She kept talking after a pause. "I could easily get used to this... It's dangerous" she said in a low voice.

"I'd love to keep spoiling you, though. I plan to keep doing it, for as long as you let me" he sincerely hoped, making her cheeks taint pink. "I haven't spoiled you enough yet"

"We've been mostly in a long distance relationship, haven't we?" She lamented. "At least you're here now, and I couldn't be happier."

"Are you sure? Because I can think of a few ways to-" He teased.

"You know what I mean!" Luka chuckled at her pouting, happy.

"I know. You make me the happiest Marinette. Since the day we started dating, I've been living on a cloud. How can I be so fortunate? The luckiest man alive for sure" he smiled fondly and Marinette chuckled.

"I can't believe it's been three years already…" Marinette commented, nostalgic.

"Time sure flies, huh?" Luka sighed.

"Music conservatoire in Germany, your incredible tour around the world with Jagged, your world widely known violin concerto…"

"Which was inspired by you…" he interjected with a wink.

"Inspired by me…" she giggled. "And when you were back, I was gone"

"It was only for a few weeks. You had a career and a future to focus on," Luka reminded her.

"Yes. And we weren’t even dating by then, but I missed you. Every day. Every night…" Marinette lamented.

"Until-"

"Valentine's day" her face lightened up at the memory. “When I finally brought up the courage to confess to you…”

"You came here, unexpectedly, and gave me heart-shaped chocolate," Luka recalled. “In a box, properly wrapped…”

"And you thought they were meant for ' friendship '!" Marinette pouted, offended. “I even put a card in it that said ‘ I love you ’! And I properly signed it, I made sure of it!”

"To be honest, I don't think I was thinking straight.” Luka shrugged. “The most extraordinary girl in the world and the one I've been in love with for years confessing to me? I thought I was dreaming. Too good to be real" Marinette took a moment to glare incredulously at him. “Besides, I had seen you giving chocolate to other people as well, including Adrien. I thought you had given me the wrong box”

“But the only one who was wrong was you…” she pointed at him with her finger. “I had been over Adrien for years by then! I thought you had noticed!”

“I didn’t know, really! We were busy and didn’t spend as much time together. Or maybe I was afraid to admit it. To be hopeful… and heartbroken again…” his voice saddened and she looked away in regret. “And I made you cry. Twice…”

“Once was of happiness, you silly!” she chuckled.

“But you have no idea of how stupid I felt. I came to see you after your classes and- gosh, you looked so nervous when you saw me…”

“I was. I was terrified” she confessed. “You had the box I gave you with you, so I knew you were going to give me an answer. But you looked so serious and troubled that I was convinced you would reject me”

“I would never” Luka confirmed. “You should have known that”

“Like you said, we hadn't met much in those past months. We barely talked anymore… I wouldn’t have been surprised if you had moved on already" she turned her face away. “You were always surrounded by so many beautiful and talented people…”

“Yet you were- and still are- my only one. Always the one. The purest and most beautiful. The most extraordinary, talented and amazing too” he smirked. It felt like ages since he had seen her blush.

“Oh, shush, you flatterer!” she hit his arm, embarrassed, and her gesture amused him. “You had the audacity to ask me if I had given you the wrong box because of that ‘ I love you ’ card!” she continued, and prepared to imitate her boyfriend’s voice. " ‘Uhm- Marinette… I don't know how to say this but... Are you sure this box wasn’t meant for Adrien? I haven’t eaten it yet, so you can still give it to him, if you want ’, you said” she finished her with an offended glare. He decided to ignore her 'poor' imitation of him.

“And that’s when you cried and ran away” he stated.

“What did you expect me to do!? It was too embarrassing! And frustrating! You have no idea of how much courage it took me to write you that card! I thought I could have lost you forever! I could have ruined our friendship! Everything! I cursed Juleka for encouraging me”

“You called me stupid”

“You are stupid!”

“I really am,” Luka accepted with a playful smile. “You have no idea how lame I felt when I turned the card and saw my name written on its back…. It was so embarrassing and pathetic! Gosh…” She knew he meant it as there was a subtle redness covering his cheeks. “I had to fix the misunderstanding and-”

“And you came to the bakery, with the biggest bouquet of flowers I've ever seen” Marinette’s expression warmed at the memory. “I’m still surprised you drove around half Paris with that bouquet on your bike... and without crashing!”

“Of course I did,” he recalled with pride. “Ivan and Mylene helped me. And I had to get to you the fastest I could. I may have caused a few minor incidents on my way, and even got chased by Agent Roger’s police car for a while, but hey! No regrets. Worth it!”

“You’re incorrigible!”

“You loved it,” he grinned. “And you love me”

“Yes, I do,” Marinette giggled and his eyes glowed at her. “I was so relieved when you confessed to me… You used the same words as the first time. My heart was beating so fast…”

“But I made you cry”

“You made me happy, you silly!” she blushed under his dazzling eyes. “ The happiest ” she corrected herself.

"It still seems unbelievable… But you know what I remember the most about that day?” Luka asked, picking up her curiosity.

"What?"

"The flavor of sweet chocolate melting in your mouth" he grinned.

"Our first kiss…" she blushed. She remembered it very well, too. Sweet, warm, loving… Long-awaited. It really had taken them way too long, after years of pinning for each other. The best feeling she had ever had yet. The best butterflies- ones she could never hate.

"Our first of a lot more that followed. And that I wish that still follows in the future. It was delicious"

"Of course it was! After multiple attempts, I made sure of it" she giggled. "And yes, I hope we get to kiss so much more in the future too" Luka hummed in agreement, relaxed, and caressed the back of her hand again. If it weren't for the soft music that continued playing, they would have been certain that time had stopped. Marinette hummed back at him, nostalgic. "And here we are again, three years later, right where everything began..."

"Where everything began…" he repeated.

" And I- I have something for you," Marinette nervously laughed, making Luka's smile wider.

"Of course you do. It's our anniversary"

"I can't never surprise you, can't I?" She giggled. "Things have really changed since then…"

"Things changed really quick, really. Juleka left with Rose to the USA, the captain created her own pirate crew and sailed to look for adventures…"

"And the Liberty has been abandoned for a while…"

"Jagged booked me a hotel room. I came back to check on the ship every time I could. Not as much as I wished, honestly"

"You missed it," she knew it.

"Not as much as I missed you…" Luka leaned to give her a soft kiss on her cheek. Before he could lean back, she turned her face a bit to give a sweet kiss on his lips.

"I missed you more…" she admitted, not letting Luka go back to his natural seated position yet. She wanted him close. "You make me better, Luka. In every way"

"And you make me crazy but reasonable," Luka beamed.

"That's true," she fondly admitted. Luka lent down again to give her a kiss on her lips. And another. And another. She was falling into temptation to keep kissing him all night… and that sounded like a great plan, actually. But there was something she had to do first, she remembered.

"Don't distract me! I was trying to give you something!"

"Sorry" He laughed. "You look so beautiful under the moonlight, smiling while you talk about me. Your lips looked so appealing"

"Appealing… Does this look appealing too?" She took a familiar box out of her purse. He recognized it immediately. The same box as three years ago, which contained…

"Chocolate!" He exclaimed, rejoicing.

"A little extra this time… taste it" she stuck out her tongue and she wasted no time to put one of the heart shaped sweets in his mouth and let it melt on his tongue, savoring it.

"Hmm!? So good! Delicious! Woah-"

"I'm so glad" Marinette beamed at her boyfriend's reaction. "Didn't you have dessert for me too?"

"Right," he recalled, taking another chocolate to his mouth. "I'm going to get it"

Marinette hummed, a little sad he would be going, even if it was only to the kitchen, but when he came back with a strawberry shortcake, decorated with some macarons on top, Marinette’s eyes dazzled in anticipation.

“It’s my father’s recipe! My favorite!” she cried when she tasted it. “So delicious!”

"That's good," he sighed in relief. “I still have another present for you, but I'll give it to you later. Let's enjoy dessert and chocolate first"

"I agree. I have something else for you too, but this is so good I want to eat a bit more of cake first. Too good" she beamed.

"You really eat a lot" Luka's eyes softened at her. "Let me play you something on the violin while you eat"

…………………………….

"Uah, Luka. You play so beautifully… wonderful” She felt like daydreaming as he put the violin apart and seated back to his chair. She immediately reached for his hand once again, his slim fingers wrapping around hers. “I still can’t believe it. Everything is so perfect… Where did you leave your chaos today?” Marinette giggled.

“He must be at Le Grand Paris, with his crocodile…”

Marinette laughed at his answer, so contagiously, he soon started laughing too.

"Thank you, Luka. For everything. I have no words to express how happy you make me"

"Me too, Marinette"

They didn't need more words as their lips touched, the familiar chocolate sweetness melting with their tender, love filled kiss. It started soft, but soon it became hungrier, more passionate… and only them existed.

At least until their kiss was interrupted by the sudden sound of a klaxon outside- a sound that shouldn’t be there: distracting, unwanted . Lips still touching, Marinette and Luka stared at each other with big eyes, in alert. Step sounds followed next, and their eyes widened as the sounds approached more and more. ‘Oh no’ . Finally, a loud slam sound of the door made them turn towards the figure that just entered the room.

“Hello son!”

“Dad!?” “Jagged Stone!?” the couple said in unison, breaking body contact.

“What are you doing here!?” Luka asked, nervously, standing up from the chair as his father approached with Fang and his unique guitar. Marinette couldn’t believe his eyes. Of course she couldn’t have some time to spend alone with her boyfriend for once, couldn’t she? Of course not! Wishful thinking!

“I thought you would like to listen to the latest song I composed! And maybe we can have an improvised concert by the Seine. It’s been a while since we’ve been back in Paris. What do you say? Rock’n’roll!”

“Da-” Luka started, but Marinette stood in his way and faced him in anger.

“JAGGED STONE!”

“Oh- Marinette! My boy's girl and favorite designer! You’re here too? Cool! Wanna join us?”

Was Jagged even aware of his surroundings? Marinette rage peaked.

“Dad- weren’t you supposed to be with Penny?” Luka asked, trying to mediate between her girlfriend and his oblivious father.

“Why? I can see Penny anytime! I have plans for you tonight. I feel so inspired!”

‘Poor Penny’ Luka thought, and his answer infuriated Marinette even more. And the target of everyone’s anger that evening was called once again. In RAGE.

“JAGGED STONE!”

And no. Despite the anger displayed, that wasn’t Marinette’s voice. It was- “Oh, no!”

“How dare you stand me up on Valentine’s Day to spend time with your son! It’s Valentine’s Day! How could you forget we had a date!”

“Penny!?” Jagged squeaked, seeing his akumatized girlfriend get into the ship, breaking a glass window to get in with her most threatening face. “That’s not rock’n’roll…”

“Shut up! I’m not Penny anymore! I’ll get rid of your son and distractions and you’ll finally have time for me!” She yelled, directing a magical beam towards Fang that made him disappear. Vanished .

“Fang, no!” Jagged cried. “Stop this Penny! I’m sorry I forgot about Valentine’s Day! Don’t do this!”

“You say you love me but then you always forget about me and always put your son first! No more!”

The akuma aimed at Luka next, and Marinette’s Ladybug’s senses alerted her, tackling and saving her boyfriend, who was too shocked to react for a moment, from the magical destroying beam.

“I knew everything was too perfect to be real! Why can’t I just have a peaceful anniversary with my boyfriend for once!?” Marinette growled. “C’mon Luka, we need to-”

Too late.

Before she realized it, her back was on the floor and her eyes couldn't be wider. The akuma had thrown another magical beam that, this time, didn’t miss its target. Luka had pushed Marinette to protect her and, easy as that, 'poof'. Luka vanished, just in front of her.

“Luka!” both her and Jagged cried, under the akuma’s victorious laugh.

“Haha! You don’t have your son now, so you can finally focus on me!” she laughed, aiming to take Jagged as a prisoner next.

“Penny, stop!” Jagged insisted, but the akuma didn’t listen.

And Marinette… Oh, Marinette… She was more than pissed now. No way she was going to let anybody ruin her long-awaited anniversary celebration. A celebration that had been PERFECT so far- But of course it was too perfect in this hell of a mess that was Paris after the previous Hawk Moth successfully passed his powers to a more clever and unpredictable enemy.

Before the akuma beam aimed at her reached its target, she jumped into the river.

“Marinette-” Tikki called, as she was falling, and before she could reach the bottom, she fell into the water as Ladybug.

“I don’t care if they’re my boyfriend’s father and his girlfriend (and hopefully my future in-laws). I’m not letting them get away! I’m not letting them ruin my date or take Luka away!” Her anger resonated even with Tikki, who couldn’t help it but shiver. A moment later, once the akuma had given up on her and flew out the broken window, Ladybug was already chasing her.

_______________________________________________

Despite the new Butterfly villain being more intelligent and threatening, akuma battles have been way easier than before since the new cat user joined Ladybug as her permanent partner. Akuma battles had become more balanced- less tiring- thanks to her, and Marinette was grateful for it.

It all happened very fast: After Luka confessed to Marinette he had known about her being Ladybug, and how he knew about Chat Noir’s identity too (and specially the WHY he knew), and Marinette, as the guardian, had to take immediate action. She revoked Chat Noir of the black cat Miraculous and asked Plagg and Su-han to find a new user. A user that wasn’t Adrien- And a user whose identity remained unknown to Luka (even if Marinette was certain he would never be akumatized again). It was the only condition Su-Han imposed on her and she had accepted.

And this time, the choice had been excellent .

The new cat user called herself ‘Midnight’. Her full attire was black, obsidian as her short hair. She wasn’t happy with how people called her pointy cat ears ‘adorable’, even if she couldn’t help but to agree. She was supposed to be mysterious, not cute! Her green eyes shined through the dark, and Ladybug was certain those weren’t natural green, but Plagg’s green instead. Either way, she was beautiful.

Unlike the previous cat user, Midnight was reliable . She was sharp, bold and quick thinker, sometimes a little too temperamental, but responsible for her role as a superhero and savior of Paris and with a great sense of partnership. She fit so well with Ladybug they didn’t even need words to understand each other most of the time. A gesture or a look was mostly enough for them to know how to act. Having a partner like her only made her realize how wrong she was not replacing Chat Noir earlier (she was aware she had only been keeping him out of pity). Plagg also liked her, which was even more relieving.

And back to the battle- after the akuma had taken Jagged with her, the two superheroes chased them to Le Grand Paris Hotel. Ladybug could tell by her body language that Midnight was pissed too, and understood that she probably had to leave her Valentine date waiting in order to fight the akuma as well. Both were extra motivated and so- the battle was soon over.

“Miraculous Ladybug”

Shortly after, Marinette returned to the Liberty. Her pink dress and her high ponytail danced with the wind as she ran to hug Luka and give him a passionate kiss that left him completely breathless. As soon as she made sure Luka hadn’t fainted (he almost did the first time she kissed him like that), she focused back on Jagged Stone.

Oh boy- He wouldn’t want to be in Jagged Stone' shoes right now, Luka thought. A storm was unleashed. Brace yourselves.

“I’m sorry Penny! I forgot about Valentine’s Day! Forgive me-” Jagged begged, bent on his knees to apologize to his girlfriend, who already had a forgiving expression on her face. Nothing like Marinette's expression. It wasn’t going to be so easy with her.

“JAGGED STONE!” Marinette yelled. The rock star jolted in fear. “You better don’t forget about apologizing to us !” It’s our anniversary- the first one we can celebrate in three years because- let me remind you- you had taken Luka away for the last 2 ones!! On a tour that was supposed to last 3 months and ended up lasting 2 and a half years! Hell- You’ve just come back to Paris last week and you already want to take Luka away from me again!? Sorry, but no! I’m his girlfriend and I’m not letting you monopolize him!”

“I’M SO SORRY!!!” Jagged cried, hiding behind Penny.

"Listen! I understand Luka is so amazing you want to spend time with him, I honestly do because, same! But he's an adult already so let him live his life! Our life! Besides, it's only your own fault you decided to let him down all his childhood! You could have had him in your life for so long and chose not to get involved. It’s not my fault if you regret it! Just grow up and deal with it!"

"I-" Jagged's voice trembled as he gulped.

Luka had never seen Jagged so scared- tiny- his ego so reduced before. Not even around his mother, and that was surely something. He couldn’t stop giving heart eyes to her. A great contrast to the fire Marinette had in hers, and the fear Jagged had in his. ‘ Just woah! ’

“OK- And now go home and don’t come back until Luka reaches you! I have an anniversary date to finish! Oh- And you better treat Penny to a wonderful dinner tonight, you hear!?” she yelled as she pointed towards the door. “Now go!”

"Yes ma'am!"

It took Jagged less than 1 second to take Penny’s hand and Fang and exit through the door, whining, leaving Marinette with her face raised confidently. She took a deep breath, and turned to Luka, with sharp eyes. “Now, where were we...?”

Luka gulped in anticipation as she got closer, very close, and locked eyes with him. How could she be so hot when she was confident and angry? Damm . His heart rate increased at her hands finding rest on his chest. She moved her face closer, lips merely a centimeter apart from his. He closed his eyes and opened his mouth to give her full access. His reaction made her smirk.

“Oh, I remember- a present” she pulled apart, leaving Luka wanting and perplexed. “You said you still had a present for me”

It amused Marinette how it took Luka a couple of seconds to recover and process her words. “I do. I do have something for you” he coughed a bit to recompose. “Didn’t you say you have something too?”

“I do” she smirked confidently once again. Luka was losing his mind. Where did this confidence come from? He knew the answer: she hated it when her plans didn’t go as she expected. It was something she had been carrying around for a while since after she called Alya and the girls out for her stupid plans to get Adrien to look at her. ‘ What a waste of time ’, she had admitted out loud to them. Those events had set a precedent and now she didn’t let anyone boss her or make decisions for her. Unless it was someone who she trusted completely like Luka.

“Let me go get it. You can sit down meanwhile-”

“OK” she winked and Luka sucked a breath. She was making him go crazy and SHE- not only knew it. She also ENJOYED it.

“Ok” he could barely repeat.

In truth, he didn’t need to go to the kitchen to get his present, but he did anyway to catch a breath. It wasn’t only a present. He was going to ask him something important. Something that was going to change their lives. If she said yes. Gosh - He hoped for her to say yes. He hated to admit he was more nervous than he should be. He took a deep breath before going back to the room Marinette was awaiting him in. Marinette didn’t take her eyes out of him and followed all his movements: him reaching to put on his jacket, walking closer to the table, stopping by her side… Then, he offered her his hand to help her stand up and guided her to the center of the room, right in the middle of the candles and under the star-shaped lights falling down the ceiling. He could feel Marinette’s curious eyes still on him as he walked to turn off some of the lights and start the music player… Marinette gasped when Marinette’s song started playing through the speakers, and when he kneeled down in front of her and took a little box out of his jacket’s pocket… her hands rushed to cover her mouth. ‘ Was he going to…? ’ She blamed her heartbeats for interjecting with Luka’s music notes, but they only increased when he cleared up his voice and raised his head to look up at her.

And there, under the stars, as if they were the only humans being in the universe, he asked her:

“Marinette. I know this may be a bit early considering we’ve been apart for a long time…”

“Too long…” Marinette whispered.

“Yes, too long” Luka repeated, a little more comfortable. “Would you-?”

“Yes!” she yelled. It took her a moment to look down to Luka and realize he was blinking in surprise. ‘ Ah, crap! He hadn’t even finished the sentence, did he?’ “Ah- Sorry! Ask me, please!”

Luka laughed at her, and Marinette couldn’t help it but blush. “That’s good to know- So good to know…” he sighed in relief, calming his laugh. “But now I’m worried you may be disappointed…”

“Wha-?” Marinette looked at Luka with confusion as he stood up and opened the little box. Her eyes widened when she saw its insides. It was not what she had expected. It was… “Two pairs of keys…?” she blinked at the sight, and Luka smiled, a little regretful, at his girlfriend.

“I wanted to ask you to move in with me, Marinette”

Marinette could feel her face burning up to her ears. She had misunderstood! Of course she had! How was she supposed not to when the set was so beautiful? SO RIGHT? How embarrassing ! “Eh- Why?” her voice said, and she internally cursed herself. ‘ Why??? What was that Marinette? Get a hold of yourself!’

“Remember that apartment building by the Seine with a view to the Eiffel Tower you helped its interiorist decorate? I bought one with the money I made after touring with Jagged. I’m not going back to hotels, nor the Liberty. I want to build a home . With you, if you want me too-” he sincerized. “I’m not going back to touring, and since you’re graduating next month… What do you say? Is there a way for me to convince you to move in with me?”

“I-” Why were her words refusing to leave now? Of course she wanted to! She had just say yes to what she had thought that was a-

“Breathe, Marinette”

She hadn’t realized she had been holding her breath until he told her. Why was she panicking? She had just said yes to a marriage proposal that didn’t even happen! Wasn’t living together included in the pack? Why was her voice refusing to leave?

“Take your time to think about it, if you need to, ok?” He reached for her hand, opened it, and closed her fist around one of the keys. “Take it and use it whenever, in any way you want”

“Wait, Luka-!” She hated herself for how she could only react after he had taken a step back. “I want to move in with you! I really want to!”

“Yes?” His glowing eyes weren't really helping at hiding his joy…

“Yes! I’m sorry I acted that way! I was surprised and-! Oh gosh! We’re going to live together! Kyaa!!” Now, with the way she squealed as she jumped to his arms, Luka had no doubt she truly meant it.

“I’m so glad, Marinette” He hugged her back, tightly, overjoyed. “I’m sorry if you expected me to ask you something else. I thought you would prefer to be more sure about living with me. It’s a big step after all-”

“I am sure!”

“Really? What if I have bad sleep habits you can’t stand? Like singing in my sleep. Or snoring loudly?” he teased.

“I know you don’t, silly!” she blushed as she recalled the few times they had slept together. He laughed casually at her redness. “You sleep very peacefully… And I love waking up with you by my side. Or even better: cuddling me. My favorite mornings”

“Then what if I can’t stop hugging and kissing you whenever we’re in the same room? Won’t it make you annoyed?” he teased.

“You’re just giving me more reasons to look forward to moving in with you, you know?” she laughed, so close he could feel its air on his ear. “Besides… Didn’t you say you were going to spoil me more? The bar is so high after today” she smirked. “I can’t wait!”

Marinette squeaked when Luka easily lifted her and spinned her around a few times, her legs flying as they laughed happily together. He took a few seconds to hold her close before putting her back down and kissing her reassuringly.

“Now I regret not having gone for a ring instead” he whispered in her ear, and she laughed again. Music to his ears. “You know?” He started, and she hummed, assuring she was paying attention. “I’m going to buy a ring right now and ask you the question you expected”

“What?” Marinette’s eyes opened in disbelief as he planted a kiss on her lips and moved to get his coat and his wallet. “I’ll be right back-”

“Wait, you stupid!” She called, and he obeyed, stopping to listen. “All the shops are closed now. You’re not going to find any jewelry store open at this hour!”

“Oh-”

He shouldn’t be smiling like that, he knew it. But he didn’t know how to stop. Not when his beautiful girlfriend just accepted moving in together with him- and when she has admitted wanting to marry him. He put down his coat once again and rushed to hug her again, kissing her neck playfully as she laughed “You’re so stupid, I can’t believe you!”. Laugh filled the space, like air filled the instruments. And love filled each other’s hearts.

“Oh- What was your present for me, Marinette?” Luka recalled, pulling apart just enough to meet her eyes. She smiled at his question.

“Oh, right. Close your eyes”

Luka easily obeyed, but releasing her from his hold had proven harder. She patted his shoulder. “Luka…” she whined, and he chuckled, reluctantly letting her go at last. “No peaking!” she said, sensing his intentions, and he chuckled again at how well she knew him. She returned soon enough with a big paper bag on her hands. “Here!”

Luka took it, and when he looked inside… “Wow!” His eyes glowed as he took a black leather jacket with teal highlights out of the bag. The more he appreciated its details, the more fascinated he was. It was obvious he loved it just from looking into his excited eyes. He didn’t waste a second to try it on. It fit him like a glove. “I love it Marinette, thank you!” he hugged her. “Wow, it’s so cool and comfortable! You’re so talented!”

Marinette blushed. More for how handsome he looked than for his praising words. “I know you love riding around with your bike, but your old jacked wasn’t very… adequate” that was an understatement and both of them knew it. “I wanted you to give you something you could use daily so you keep me in mind. And something that keeps you safe. We all know the Couffaines’ aren’t known for behaving and keeping the rules” Luka laughed at her comment. It was true. His family history involved too much of agent Roger and law authorities to be considered normal. The whole family was probably blacklisted or something, considering their history… “I hope you use it”

“I will Marinette! I certainly will!” He hugged her again, and kissed her lips in gratitude. “What if we go for a ride? Where would you like to go?” he asked, all excited.

“What if we go to our apartment?”

Luka was sold at the word ‘our’. “YES. Let’s go!”

“Wait!” Marinette stopped him. “Let’s clean a bit first”

“Oh, right”

Marinette helped her boyfriend clean up the table (just enough to have the food and drinks stocked and the dishes at the sink), and wasted no time to grab Juleka’s bike jacket and put her helmet on Marinette’s head. She laughed when he pulled her to his bike and secured her behind him. “Hold tightly” he said, and she held as tightly as he could. The apartment was close by, just 5 minutes from the Liberty. He dropped his keys at first, failing to open the door, but when he did, Marinette’s eyes glowed in excitement.

She jumped around the apartment, even though she had already been there a few months ago. She sat at the sofa, checked the stove, rolled on the bed, and finally, looked through the balcony’s window, straight to the beautiful Eiffel Tower. “Wow… What a magnificent view…” she turned to Luka, who approached to hug her from behind.

“You like it?”

“I love it” one of her hands rested on his, while the other raised to comb his hair. “I can’t believe we’re going to live here from now on… Together. It seems like a dream come true”

“Our home” he said, and Marinette internally squealed. “I’m so glad you accepted”

“I’m so glad you asked” she broke his hold to turn to face him and grinned, so brightly Luka felt his heartbeat raise. He kissed her, and she returned the kiss, caring. Happy.

“You know, Luka? Everything has been perfect today, well, except Jagged and the akuma… But, overall, what I like the most is your company. I wouldn't change anything for that" she smiled fondly, and he returned the smile.

"Me neither, Marinette"

They kissed again, freely, knowing no one was going to distract them. They knew where this was leading. They knew what they wanted. They knew how deep and burning their love was. But someone still needed to put it into words…

“Can we stay here tonight…?” Marinette finally asked, hiding her pink cheeks in Luka’s shoulder. He didn’t have to ask him twice. “Uah-!” She held her breath when he lifted her body princess style and carried her to the bed. his mouth never leaving hers. The next thing she knew their clothes were on the floor, and the night passed amid kisses, moans of pleasure and unsaid ‘I love you’ that their affections were enough to express.

_______________________________________________

It was in the morning when the sun filtering from their new bedroom’s curtains woke Marinette up. It annoyed her at first, but she stopped caring when she saw Luka curled around her, sleeping peacefully while hugging her. She played with his messy hair and it amused her to see how displeased he was about the sun as well.

“Good morning” she said, and that was enough to wake him up.

“Hmm… Let me sleep a bit more and we’ll go to buy that ring later” he said, half-asleep. She was honestly surprised he could articulate a full sentence and giggled at him, moving to hug him back once again.

“You really are incorrigible!” she kissed his hair and saw his lips curve up at her gesture.

They stayed like that for a bit longer, until Luka woke up and fulfilled his promise. On their hands now rested a pair of keys and a pair of rings.

Their home and their future.

FIN

#lukanette fic #endgame lukanette #LBSC Secret Admirer Exchange 2022 #my fic #airip4 #LBSC exchange 2022

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mari-onberry · 3 years ago

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My gift for @ladyfreya123 for @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers Valentine's exchange!

#lbsc exchange 2022 #mlb #ml #lukanette #marinette dupain cheng #luka couffaine #mari writes #happy valentines!!

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lovebugs-and-snakecharmers · 3 years ago

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Secret Admirer 2022 Exchange

Time for the sign up for the third annual Secret Admirer Exchange is here! We’ll leave the link open until 01/10/22. After which everyone will be paired up, and emails sent out with your Secret Admirer giftee.

Just a few reminders:

This is a Lukanette event. While we encourage everyone from any side of the fandom to join us, Lukanette should be the main focus as well as end game.

Fics must be at least 1500 words.

Art must at least be flat colored.

If you need to drop out after pairing emails have gone out, please let us know no later than February 5th, as that will give our pinch hitters time to get something done.

Submissions must be uploaded to the AO3 collection no later than midnight of February 13th so that we can make the collection visible for everyone on the 14th.

If you have any questions though, please feel free to send us an ask, or get in contact with either @livrever or myself @justknitstuff

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsDlEap9qfS8WzGGmegqqTZlbKRYZCRiGeyfdLNPdHFoTGHg/viewform

#lbsc #LBSC exchange #lbsc event #lbsc exchange 2022 #lukanette #luka couffaine #marinette dupain cheng #pro lukarmari #lukanette event

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nerdypanda3126 · 3 years ago

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It’s a Love Story – Part 2

Read on Ao3 | Part 1

You Hear a Song

Marinette was unpacking the bag from her recent trip to the fabric store, looking over her finds as Tikki supervised and munched on a cookie. To be honest, she wasn’t sure what to do with half of what she’d bought, but at the time she couldn’t leave the store without it.

She pulled the two yards of bright teal fabric out and rubbed it between her fingers. For some reason, in the store it had brought to mind a memory of soft azure eyes and she’d bought it without a second thought. But now that she was looking at it again… She sighed. She should return it. She and Luka hadn’t talked in… what, going on six years now? Not since she’d broken up with him and he’d disappeared to tour with Jagged Stone.

She glanced at her wall, filled with magazine clippings of him alongside the old photos of them as teenagers. She’d been following his career, cheering him on silently, hoping he’d found something that made him happy. She was happy for him, really.

It wasn’t his fault she was still stuck in Paris, trying to work on becoming a designer in between akuma bouts. She couldn’t even take an internship because she knew she’d have to bolt at any particular moment. She sighed and let the fabric drop into her lap as she let her head fall on her arms. The sacrifices she’d made and she wasn’t even twenty yet.

Beside her, her phone started playing a ringtone that she hadn’t heard… going on six years now. She peeked out from under her arms, barely able to believe it, but that was Luka’s contact picture. And that was Luka’s number. She answered the call and put the phone to her ear, half-expecting someone to be pranking her.

“Luka?” she asked, sharing an anxious glance with Tikki. Her eyebrows furrowed as she realized that if it was him, he had no reason to call her unless something was really wrong. “Is everything okay?”

There was a sharp intake of breath on his end before Luka—it was actually Luka—said, “I screwed up.”

“...Oooo-kay?” she asked, laughing out of pure nervousness. She tucked the teal fabric she’d been holding out of sight for some reason. Not like he’d see it over the phone, but it made her feel better to have it put away anyways. “Can you tell me what this is about?”

He took a deep breath before the words seemed to spill out of him. Something about a song and a press conference and Jagged and his new solo album—which she’d known about and definitely hadn’t been awaiting its release so she could have that on loop at all times. She’d avoided the single purposefully, although that was also because every time she heard his name on the radio her heart twisted a little bit more with guilt.

Backing Jagged up, being his guitarist, it didn’t even sound like Luka’s playing anymore. Something about it was empty, although she would never tell him that. She didn’t know if she could bear to hear him singing like that.

She realized with a start that he’d stopped talking and was waiting for her to say something. She chewed on her lip as she debated asking him the question that had been on her mind since he left. Since he’d said he’d be there for her and then left without even saying goodbye.

“Luka, can I ask you something?”

There was a small pause on his end before he said, “Of course.”

She spun in her chair and tucked her knees up to her chin. It was now or never if she was going to get the answer she’d been wanting. “...Is this what you really want?”

She heard him opening and closing his mouth on the other end, and backtracked as fast as she could. “I mean, you can tell me if I’m way off base, but it sounds like…” She shared another glance with Tikki, thinking about the pressure she was always under, and sighed. “It sounds like you’ve had a lot of pressure put on you lately,” which was true, but she added a quick, “and I know how Jagged can be…”

Which was also true, and he’d said as much in his word vomit explanation to her. She’d never known Luka to word vomit like that, which was only confirmation that he’d been desperate for someone to talk to. Maybe that was even why he’d actually called her. But his answer would give her the clarity she needed. If this was what he wanted, then she would never get in the way of that. Ever.

“Yeah,” he said quietly, then cleared his throat. “Yeah, it is.”

Her heart fell. She shouldn’t have gotten her hopes up, honestly, it wasn’t like anything had changed and she didn’t have any more time to try again with him—but she shook her head clear. This wasn’t helping. Luka needed a solution.

She glanced at Tikki again, then at the magazines she had spread out on her floor—which definitely weren’t open on articles speculating about his love life because she definitely didn’t care who he dated but—

Her eyes widened. That was the answer. She blushed even as she thought it, but she could handle this. It was for Luka. He needed her. And she didn’t have time to be in love anyways. It’d be fine. It was the perfect solution.

“Okay. I think I have a plan, but I want to run it by Penny first.” She placed a cool hand to her burning cheek and tried to keep her voice level. “I’ll talk to you soon, okay?”

He didn’t answer right away, but when he did, there was a warmth in his voice that was unmistakable—or maybe she was reading too much into it.

“Yeah,” he said softly. “Soon.”

She hung up and pressed her phone to her lips, trying desperately not to squeal. Tikki floated over to perch on her shoulder as she recovered and dialed Penny’s number.

“Marinette!” Penny said breathlessly as she answered. She sounded busy. Marinette heard her pen clicking in the background which meant she was stressed, and she shifted the phone around before she mumbled something with her hand over the receiver. When she came back on, she sounded more composed. “Did Luka call you?”

“Yeah, and he told me about what happened.” She pressed her hand to her cheek again, trying to will her blush away. “Um, I think I might have an idea that would help? But you’ll have to tell Luka about it.” No way she was bringing this up in any capacity with him. Penny gave a clipped response to show she was listening, and Marinette took a deep breath. “I think we need to pretend to date.”

On her shoulder, Tikki perked up and flew into Marinette’s vision, a stern, concerned look on her face. Marinette waved her away and stood to pace, doing her best to ignore her pounding heart.

“It wouldn’t take much, just enough for it to be reported, and then we can break it off.”

Silence on Penny’s end. Marinette couldn’t tell if she’d gotten pulled away from the phone or if she was thinking it over. Now that the words were out of her mouth, she had to admit it didn’t sound like the great idea she’d thought it was…

“...Actually…” Penny finally said, her tone thoughtful. “That could work. But you’re sure you’re okay with this? I was hoping to keep you out of the headlines, but this would put you front and center.”

She swallowed. She knew she could handle the press, she’d been doing that for years now, but as Marinette? And next to Luka?

She could do anything next to Luka.

She nodded firmly. “Absolutely. I’m in if Luka is.”

“I’ll talk to him. I owe you one,” Penny said, then she shouted something at someone and disconnected the call.

Marinette sank to the floor as all the adrenaline of the past two phone calls drained out of her and left her feeling like she’d gone three rounds with a really tough akuma. Luka smiled back at her from the magazine page, and she ran her hand over the picture, imagining seeing him laugh and smile again in person. Her heart fluttered at the idea, but she shut it down quickly.

She could do this. She could do this for Luka and then… they didn’t have to talk ever again if he didn’t want to.

She glanced over at the teal fabric she’d tucked away. The picture of Luka gave her an idea. He’d never have to know it was from her, but maybe she could make him something to wear when he had to dress for the fancy parties she knew he was destined for. With a renewed vision, she sat at her desk and drew up plans for a dinner jacket.

***

She’d agonized over her outfit for their picnic date. She knew Luka wouldn’t care what she wore—or maybe he would? He had been appearing in more fashionable clothes lately. She shook her head clear. No, Luka had never cared what she wore and he wouldn’t start now.

Still, the flowy pink maxi skirt and lightweight white sweater she’d chosen to tuck into it seemed like something she could be seen in next to him. She’d still jumped a mile high when her mom knocked on her trap door to let her know Luka was there to pick her up and patted at her pigtails, wishing she’d maybe taken the time to do something else with her hair.

But when she’d opened the door for him, there he was, and she tried not to stare at how different he looked. His hair was gone in the sides and back and only a stylishly messy blue-tipped mop was left on top. And was that a new piercing? Not to mention the burgundy sweater he was wearing—when did Luka start wearing burgundy and why did it make his blue eyes shine more than usual? And the chest and the shoulders and the arms… He’d gone away a lanky teenager and the years had given him the body of a rock star. She did her best to shut her mouth, reminding herself that they were friends and he didn’t need another fan drooling over him.

When she managed to tear her eyes away, he had a guitar case strapped to his back and a picnic basket over one arm. He offered her the other one with a jaunty smile and she giggled as she took it.

The walk there was filled with nervous, awkward chatter. She couldn’t help but think of all the years that had passed and how different he was—how different they both were.

That is, until he’d pushed up his sleeves to set the picnic out, and she’d reached out almost instinctively to trace all the new ink all over his forearms. He laughed and they settled into an easy game where she’d point one out and he’d tell her the story behind it.

At least until she got to the one on his elbow. Music notes and cherry blossoms all wound together like they’d been caught in the wind.

“Eighteen. My first, actually,” he said, and gave her a sad smile before he pulled his arm out from under her fingers to reach for his guitar instead.

Absent-mindedly, she traced her signature cherry blossoms that were still embroidered on her shoulder bag where Tikki hid. Something she’d said had made him close up and she hated it, but she didn’t know how to fix it. While Luka strummed his guitar, glancing around to make sure the cameras were pointed at them, she opened the bag a small amount to share a surreptitious look with Tikki. Tikki only waved her paws at Marinette as if to say, “Try again!”

She nodded back, her determination returning. “So do I get to hear the song that’s causing all the fuss?” she asked, forcing cheerfulness as she scooted closer to him and tucked her skirt under her knees.

She felt him stiffen next to her before he cleared his throat. “You’ll hear it on the radio soon enough,” he said, his voice devoid of inflection. Her hopes started to fall before he continued, “I thought I’d play something else instead.”

“It doesn’t sound like you on the radio,” she said before she could help it. That got his attention, and he raised his eyebrows, amused. She blushed under his gaze. “… I mean, of course I know it's you, because it's you playing, but it just sounds…” Empty. Emotionless. Like he was going through the motions. Not at all like the passionate teenager she’d fallen for. “I don't know, cleaned up, I guess?” she said instead. “I missed hearing you play—in person, I mean.”

"Most people prefer the cleaned up version," he said glumly, rubbing at the side of his head where his hair used to be. "Or at least I'm told it sells better."

Her heart twisted and she reached out to fiddle with one of the folds of his sweater that was still pushed up around his elbows. “I miss your hoodie,” she said, hoping he caught her meaning. She missed the awkward teenager who wasn’t afraid to say what he thought.

"You can have it if you want," he promised. "I held onto it."

She couldn’t help but brighten at the thought. She’d always hoped he would offer it to her, when they tried that first time, but hadn’t wanted to make him part with it. It seemed so important to him at the time. But the thought of wearing his hoodie—telling everyone she belonged with him—made her heart start to race.

"Really? You don’t mind if I have it?"

He only hummed in response, but he was starting to smile again, which gave her courage. Boldly, she reached up to ruffle his hair. His eyes snapped to hers as his lips parted in surprise and the fact that she’d even noticed his lips made her blush.

“This is new, too” she said softly, and pulled her hand away. His replaced hers almost instantly, like he was feeling it for the first time.

“I’m still getting used to it, honestly,” he admitted. "All of it. The fans, the press, the interviews, the touring…" He sighed, and in that sigh she heard all of the weight of the admission leaving him.

“I bet you have some really crazy fans,” she ventured, but he shook his head.

"Penny checks our fan mail so we don't see the really crazy stuff."

Keep him talking, she thought. When was the last time he was himself around anyone? She laid her hand on his wrist delicately, trying to give him a physical lifeline to hold onto. "It sounds like she's done a lot for you," she pressed, and then watched as something in him broke open. His whole mood changed, like he was finally able to relax.

"She has. And Jagged has, really. I mean I wouldn't even be talking to you right now if it weren't for all of this." He waved his hand at what was obviously a camera pointed right at them. Her eyes flicked to it briefly before she returned her attention to him. "In a way, I guess I'm grateful,” he continued. “If I hadn't screwed up in the first place I might have never seen you again."

Before she could help it, his words settled in her heart and her face fell. What did that mean for when this was over? Would he want to see her again? Would they still be friends, even?

“No, not that I didn't want to talk to you," he said quickly. "Just that we hadn't since… you know, we broke up. Seeing you now, hanging out with you, that's what I'm grateful for."

Her finger traced the bare spot of skin where his bracelet used to sit when he was Viperion. He used to wear a lot more bracelets, now that she thought about it. She wondered if they meant anything to him. If he’d let them go as easily as he’d left her without saying goodbye. She hadn’t realized how much that still hurt.

"It feels like a second chance," she said quietly.

He took a moment to look down at her hand on his wrist before he laid his hand over hers and smiled. For the first time that day, he looked like himself.

"It does," he said, and she felt the warmth of his voice all the way down to her toes.

If it hadn’t been for her secret, they wouldn’t even need a second chance because she wouldn’t ever have broken up with him. She’d never had the chance to apologize to him for that mess in the first place. Her jaw set in determination.

"Luka, I wanted to tell you. I'm sorry about before, really I am. I didn't want to leave, any of the times I had to, and I wanted to make sure you knew that."

"You don't have to explain anything, Marinette."

"I know, but I feel like…" She shook her head. "I don't know, you just disappeared after we broke up and I never got the chance to tell you—"

Of course an akuma alert would go off on her phone just as she was going to tell him everything. She came back to her senses, and jerked her hand away from him, suddenly hyper aware of the cameras that were still pointed at them. At the shocked and sad look on his face, she groaned and hid her face in her hands.

"Now? Really?" she asked, exasperated. What force of the universe was determined to make her keep hurting Luka? Hawkmoth, apparently. She stood and pivoted to try to find the noise of the attack, then looked back down at Luka, who was watching her, concerned.

She bit her lip as she realized she had no time to explain. "I have to go. I'm sorry. But…" She glanced around and found a camera before she stooped down to kiss his cheek. At the very least that would be a good picture for the magazines, right? "We'll see each other soon, okay?"

She ran before she could hear his response, and paused as soon as she was out of sight. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered back at him before she transformed and threw her yoyo in the direction of the battle.

***

“Did you get your copy?” Penny was asking over the phone. Marinette blushed down at the magazine cover in her hands. The picture they’d used was one she hadn’t even known they’d taken. Luka had a small smile on his face as her hand was ruffling his hair. She hoped she hadn’t been blushing that much the entire time.

“Yeah, it looks great,” she said absently. She tore the cover off to pin it up on her wall.

“About the next outing. There’s a restaurant opening that I think would be a perfect opportunity.”

Marinette perked up at that. She floated over to the mannequin that held the finished dinner jacket. Bright teal and trimmed in black. She hoped Luka would like it, although she was nervous that she based it on the Luka in the magazines instead of the Luka she knew. Personally, she hadn’t been entirely happy with it—something about it was off, like when she designed that cover for Jagged Stone while listening to XY’s music.

But it was finished. And it was made for him to wear somewhere fancy.

“I have a gift for him,” she told Penny shyly, “but… I don’t want him to know it’s from me.” She bit her lip at that last part. Another secret.

“I’ll get it to him.” Marinette heard her scribble on her notepad. “Now, about the dinner. Everything will be on a tab, so don’t worry about paying for anything. And the view from the roof would make for some nice pictures.”

As Penny continued briefing her, Marinette started daydreaming of a rooftop date with Luka. Paris at night, all lit up, just the two of them, hopefully no akumas to ruin it…

“Got it?” Penny asked, which snapped Marinette back to attention.

“Mhmm. Yeah.”

“...I’ll send you the details.”

“That would probably be best,” Marinette muttered back, blushing.

***

She ran, glad she’d chosen flats instead of heels, trusting Tikki to be right behind her. She was so very late. Luka was supposed to pick her up from the bakery, but then an akuma alert went off and she’d been forced to leave, hoping she could make it back in time, thanking every deity she could think of that she’d finished getting ready early.

She skidded to a stop at the corner and made sure Tikki was tucked away before she looked up and met Luka’s eyes. She waved awkwardly, hoping she hadn’t made anything too difficult for him in front of the cameras.

He waved back, automatically it looked like, as his eyes raked over her dress. She hid a giggle behind her hand at the way he seemed to just stop altogether to smile at her. As she walked up she slipped her arm through his.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said, still catching her breath. “Something came up last minute and I had to take care of it.”

His arm flexed, unconsciously it seemed, as he said, “I’m glad you’re here now.”

“Me, too.” She squeezed his arm back. “I’ve been really looking forward to this.”

“This place is supposed to have great food.”

She couldn’t help but pout at his tone. She’d almost call it robotic, but that wasn’t a word she ever wanted to associate with Luka. When he looked down at her, his face was blank.

“I’m sure they do.” She squeezed his arm again, and it seemed to snap him out of his trance. His eyes really focused on her. “But I was thinking more of who I’d be here with.”

He swallowed, and didn’t say anything else as he led the way through the restaurant and helped her into her chair. She didn’t know how this would go, or look to the press, if she could barely get him to say two words to her or look at her all night.

But then his face as he looked down at the place setting made her stifle another giggle behind her hand. She shouldn’t laugh, but he looked so entirely baffled. And when the waiter came by with the wine list, his confusion had only increased, which for some reason was incredibly endearing.

Well, Penny had said not to worry about paying. She gestured to Luka to hand over the list as a plan started forming in her mind. She’d taken note of the exits when they walked in—a Ladybug habit—and there was an emergency exit behind them that should lead up to the roof. And Penny had said the roof would make for some great pictures.

She picked a wine without looking and handed the menu back to the waiter to send them away.

“I didn’t know you knew anything about wine,” Luka said, awed.

“I don’t. Follow my lead?”

He only nodded back, swallowing again, and she patted at Tikki’s bag to make sure it was still secure on her as the waiter came back.

“Ready?” she asked. Luka nodded again in her peripheral as she watched the waiter open the wine for them.

“I think we’ll pour our own glasses, if that’s alright,” she said sweetly to the waiter. She felt Luka’s eyes on her in a question, and the waiter seemed confused, too, but they pulled away from their table with a little bow. She wrapped her hand around the neck of the bottle, careful to slip her thumb over the opening so nothing would spill.

“Now!” she whispered at Luka, and bolted for the exit. She flew up the stairs, and she didn’t know if Luka was following her or if her heart was racing in her ears. But when she turned back to check, he was right on her heels, and she grabbed his hand to tug him closer.

When they got to the roof, Marinette jammed the door behind them with a broom handle. She knew the cameras were supposed to find them eventually, but she could have a few minutes alone with him, right?

“There,” she panted as she finished her handiwork. “Just us, now.”

He was looking at her the same way he had outside the restaurant. “...Who are you?” he asked, laughing as he took the bottle from her. “And what have you done with Marinette?”

That was more like the Luka she knew. She giggled, giddy from the race upstairs and the prospect of having him all to herself, and reached out to take his arm again. “Thought I’d take a page out of the Couffaine book. They can bill you for it, right?”

“...Right.” He smiled down at her and her heart fluttered as their eyes met. He hadn’t looked at her like that since…

“So come on,” she said quickly, shutting those thoughts down and locking them firmly away. “Let’s see what a pricey bottle of wine tastes like.”

With another glance back at the firmly shut door, she pulled him over to the railing. It wasn’t often she got to enjoy a rooftop view of Paris—or share it with someone like Luka. He passed her the bottle and she took a swig.

“It sure doesn’t taste like it costs that much,” she joked as she passed it back. He grimaced when he took one, too.

“You’re right. I could get a better bottle for like 20 euros.” He glared down at the bottle like it had personally offended him and she laughed as she took it back from him, doing her best not to think of how his lips had been on the same rim not seconds before when she took another drink.

Before long, they were laughing together like they were teenagers again. She wasn’t sure if that was the alcohol making them giddy, or if she was just relieved he was acting like himself again. Either way, she was enjoying the way the fading sunlight was making the sharp angles of his face soften and the way the alcohol was making his shoulders loosen.

She had to keep reminding herself that this wasn’t real. Sure, it was nice to hang out with him and be friends with him again, but it was all for the sake of his press, wasn’t it? And when it was all over…

She’d lose him again, wouldn’t she?

She rubbed at her arms as a chill ran down her spine. A whoosh of cologne surrounded her for a second before Luka’s jacket was draped over her shoulders. God, she hadn’t thought about this part. How much of a gentleman he was. Of course she would end up wearing the jacket she’d made for him, and of course it would smell like him, and of course it would make her heart hurt because he didn’t mean anything by it.

She forced herself to smile instead of crying and stepped closer to him, slipping an arm around his waist just to reassure her that he was really there with her. He didn’t respond at first, and then his arm fell casually around her shoulder.

He seemed to be thinking as he stared out at the Parisian skyline. His jaw was starting to tighten and he squeezed her to him. When she moved to look up at him, his head instantly swiveled towards her and his eyes were dark and intense.

“Luka?” she asked. Her eyes flicked to his lips before she could help it and like an answer to her unspoken question he was leaning down.

Her breath caught. He was leaning down like he wanted—

But then he was kissing her. Luka. Her Luka. He was kissing her like she’d always hoped they would kiss and she kissed him back like she’d never be able to kiss him again. Her hands acted on their own, sliding across his chest to rest on his shoulders and pull him closer to her.

This was real. It had to be real. There was no way he’d be kissing her like this if he hadn’t been wanting to kiss her as much as she’d been hoping he would.

He jerked away from her suddenly and it was only then she realized that a camera had managed to follow them somehow. Before Luka could even start towards them, the poor guy unblocked the door and scurried away.

She did her best to hide her blush behind his jacket. She felt so stupid. Of course she’d forgotten. This was all a charade for him, wasn’t it? The kiss must have been part of it. He turned back to her and he looked stricken by guilt.

“I’m so sorry, Marinette,” he said, his voice wavering. “I didn’t think they’d find us up here and now—”

“It’s fine,” she interrupted him, fighting back tears. “It’s good for the story, right?”

He opened and closed his mouth several times before something clicked together for him and his jaw set—in anger, it looked like—as he glanced down at the empty bottle they’d set down at their feet.

“That was already paid for, wasn’t it?” he asked. The question, and his dark tone, caught her so off guard that she didn’t even know how to respond. “This was all part of the plan? The wine, the roof, the damn picturesque view?” He waved a hand at the view that until now had been absolutely perfect.

God he sounded so… hurt. Hadn’t Penny told him? Or maybe she hadn’t so Luka didn’t feel like he had to perform, but if he hadn’t known…

His hand smacked his side as he dropped it when she didn’t reply. She had to tell him. If it was real for him, if he hadn’t known, then that kiss was real. What she’d felt was real.

“Luka, I—”

“No,” he interrupted bitterly. He shoved a hand through his hair and refused to look at her as he stumbled a step backwards, then another. “No, I can’t do this right now.” He turned his back entirely on her and started walking away.

“Luka, wait!” she called after him as his hand rested on the door handle, but his shoulders stiffened and he stepped through the door, letting it close behind him with a click.

She pulled his jacket closed against the night air and swiped her tears away. “Tikki?” she asked, hating how broken her voice sounded. Tikki poked her head out of Marinette’s shoulder bag. Marinette knew she probably looked like a wreck because Tikki didn’t say anything, just laid a gentle paw on Marinette’s hip.

“Spots on?”

***

Penny didn’t send her a copy of anything this time, so Marinette bought one at the stand she’d bought all the other ones from.

Her and Luka. Kissing on the cover. The Parisian skyline, lit up like a backdrop just for them. His jacket around her shoulders, his arm around her, pulling her closer.

He’d been smiling into the kiss.

***

This was it. The album premiere Penny had told her about and had her invited to. Jagged was throwing Luka a huge party, trying to spread the word about his album, and anyone who was anyone would be there.

Including the press, ready to capture their scripted breakup.

Penny had sent along a dress and an itinerary, but there was no other word from her. And Luka hadn’t bothered calling or texting, either. As she pulled the dress on, she had to admit it looked beautiful on her, but it felt like a costume. The cutouts made her imagine Luka’s hand falling to just that spot on her waist, his fingers on her skin, him leaning down to kiss her again…

She pressed her hands to her burning cheeks and shook her head clear. If only she could get him alone again. If only he would let her explain and confess.

But Penny had arranged for them to arrive separately. It felt deliberate. Like Luka had told her what happened and even though he would never ask Penny to retaliate, Penny had taken it upon herself to do it for him. Or maybe Marinette was just projecting her own guilt. She’d hurt him again, after all this time, with more secrets.

No more.

When she got to the party, she grabbed herself a glass of champagne and clung to it like a lifeline. She had to tell him. Everything. If he’d let her.

She had to wait for him to get inside first. There were so many reporters gathered outside, all of them hoping to get a word from him or a picture of him. She was glad she’d been spared having to smile in front of all that. But Luka hadn’t.

When he finally came and found her, he looked exhausted. The jacket he was wearing seemed to dwarf him with all its zippers and studs as he shrank into it and leaned against the wall next to her. The small space on the wall between them felt like an unbreachable gulf.

For a moment, neither of them spoke and she searched desperately for the right words to say to him. Finally, she took a breath and decided the best course was to just dive in.

“Luka, I am… so sorry.”

He shrugged back and his jacket jingled with the movement. He still wasn’t looking at her. “It’s fine,” he said coolly. “All according to plan, right?”

She shook her head so hard a strand of hair fell out of her updo. She tucked it back and swallowed her nerves. “No, that… wasn’t supposed to happen.” She wasn’t supposed to fall back in love with him. She wasn’t supposed to kiss him. She wasn’t supposed to hurt him.

A dark chuckle slipped out from between his teeth. “Ouch. Was it really that bad?” he asked, attempting humor, but the hurt was still plain in his tone.

She whirled to face him and gripped his arm as tight as she could. “It was wonderful,” she insisted, putting every ounce of feeling she could muster into the statement.

His tense posture softened and he tucked that stray strand of hair back behind her ear. The look he was giving her reminded her so much of the other night, right before he’d kissed her, that an unwanted warmth crept over her cheeks.

“Then I guess I’m a little confused,” he said, his voice so soft and warm. She almost believed he’d forgiven her.

A camera flashed at them and it sparked an unexpected anger in her. She turned her head to find the source, but there were so many cameras she couldn’t pinpoint which one was trained on them. She couldn’t tell him all she wanted to like this. She had to get him alone again.

“Come with me,” she whispered, and closed her fingers around his wrist to pull him after her. But he broke out of her grip and stood back with an odd sort of look on his face. Like he’d retreated behind some sort of shell.

“What’s this about Marinette?” he asked, and she winced as she recognized the start of the script Penny had given her. Did… did he really want this? She glanced around again and the entire room was focused on them, holding their breath it seemed, waiting for them to break. She couldn’t let it happen.

“The cameras, Luka,” she whispered at him, hardly realizing that was actually her line.

“What about them?”

“I need to talk to you. In private.” She flicked her eyes towards the door, pleading with him to catch her meaning, but something was… wrong… with him. All his intensity was turned off. He was just reciting lines. And that… Wow, that hurt.

“This is my life now, Marinette,” he said, his voice hollow and bitter. “Cameras and all. If you can’t handle that, then maybe this was a mistake.”

Her face fell before she could help it. He was gone. Her Luka, the boy she’d fallen in love with, had disappeared behind a mask of fame. He was Luka Couffaine now, famous rock star, and she… she was nobody to him.

“Maybe it was,” she heard herself say, then pushed past him, barely even aware of the crowd she was worming through, or the cameras that flashed all around her.

He didn’t follow after her.

***

She barely glanced at the newsstand when the story broke. She couldn’t bear to see that version of Luka again, or read the transcript of their fight.

It hadn't been real. She knew that. But the way her heart was broken certainly felt real.

***

Another akuma. Another day. She whipped across the Parisian rooftops and landed on her balcony before detransforming and running downstairs.

"You're late," her mom chided her gently, placing the stack of bakery boxes in her hands.

"I know, Maman, I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you, okay? I promise all these macarons will make it totally safe to Le Grand Paris," she called back as she pushed the door open with her backside and turned, carefully, to get out the door.

Only to come face to face with Luka, his hand raised as if he was about to open the door, and his face flushed and sweaty. She froze, thankful her first response hadn't been to jump away from him.

"Hi," he said, then he winced, probably because he realized how "hi" was not nearly enough for him to say to explain anything.

She glanced back behind her and saw her mom grabbing the bread peel before she pulled the door shut firmly with her foot, trying to let her mom know she could handle this. Luka took half the pastry boxes off the top of her stack, an old habit, she assumed.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, hoping he didn’t think she was angry. Just to have something to do with the nervous energy coursing through her, she started walking. The wrong direction. But she wasn’t about to tell him that. He fell into step next to her.

“...I wanted to see you,” he said hesitantly, and her heart did a traitorous flip.

“Well, here I am,” she answered as nonchalantly as she could manage.

“Here you are.” God, he was nervous. She’d never known Luka to be nervous before. It wasn’t supposed to be cute. “And if there’s any way I can apologize for the other night—”

“Don’t worry about it.” She shifted the boxes in her hands so he couldn’t see her face fall. He had to remind her. All the bitter hurt came pouring out of her before she could stop it. “It all went according to plan, right? Your PR nightmare is over, everyone thinks we broke up, and that’s how the story was supposed to end.”

“No.” He jogged in front of her and turned around to face her, stopping her in her tracks. “No, that’s not how this is gonna end.”

When he caught sight of her face, his eyes widened almost imperceptibly and he set his boxes down so he could take hers away from her, too. She crossed her arms defensively in front of her and she looked away, focusing very hard on not letting him see her cry. This was so confusing. Here he was, out of the blue, almost a week after the “incident,” acting like nothing was wrong. What was real anymore? What did he want from her?

“What do you want, Luka?”

“You.” The simple word shocked her enough that she had to look up at him and he gave her a small smile. “It was always you, Marinette.”

“I… thought…” She had to shake her head clear of the image of him standing there, choosing his new life over anything with her. It didn’t make sense with what he was saying now. “The other night…”

“The other night, when you ran out and I was an idiot for not following after you?”

Embarrassed, she dropped her eyes to the sidewalk between them. “I thought that was what you wanted. That life. Being Luka Couffaine, famous rock star, M. ‘too cool.’”

She was making fun of him, maybe a little, with that last one.

“When have I ever been cool?” He laughed and took her hands in his. “Marinette, look at me.”

She did. He was smiling at her. His normal, soft, warm Luka smile. And he’d ditched the rock star costume for his old hoodie and jeans and those high tops he used to draw all over. He looked… good. He looked like him again.

“It took me a while,” he continued after a moment of letting her scrutinize him, “but I remembered who I am. And that’s not Luka Couffaine, famous rock star.” He rolled his eyes back at her. He knew she’d been making fun of him, then. “It’s Luka Couffaine, the dork who spoke in musical metaphors to try to tell the girl I loved—the girl I’ve always loved—how crazy I am about her.”

She remembered that. Clear as a musical note, sincere as a melody. She’d never thought he was a dork for that. It was still the most beautiful confession of love she’d ever received. At least… it had been. She had a feeling if she’d dared to listen to his song on the radio she might’ve heard another one she liked even more.

“Can I hear the song now?” she asked. “The one that was causing all the fuss?”

He laughed and swung her hands between them as he started to sing.

“Baby that song, I gotta tell you the truth.” He spun her around, then pulled her close, setting his hand on her hip and laying hers on his shoulder. “I’ve been hidin’ this way too long from you. Can’t believe you never knew.” He hummed as he swayed with her and she laid her head on his shoulder, smiling hard. “It’s all about you.”

When he stopped humming, they kept swaying, her cheek still on his shoulder, her hands clasped around his neck, and his hands around her waist. It was nice. It was comfortable. It was everything being with Luka had ever been.

“Marinette?” he asked hesitantly. She hummed into his shoulder to show him she was listening. “Can I kiss you again?”

She pulled her head off his shoulder to look up at him. He was looking at her with such concern and he was nervous again. She wanted to so badly, but she didn’t want it ruined like it had been the other time they’d kissed. Her eyes flicked around the park unconsciously, searching for anyone who might interrupt them. As much as she loved him, she didn’t want their first real kiss reported anywhere.

“No cameras. No story,” he said quickly, “but I’d like another shot at it, if you’d let me.”

What an absolute dork. And oh, how she loved him. She laughed and grabbed his lapel to pull his lips down to hers.

And that’s how the story really ended, and their life together began.

#lukanette #Pro LukaMari #lukanette endgame #endgame lukanette #marinette dupain cheng #luka couffaine #penny rolling #rock star!Luka #fake dating au #lbsc exchange 2022

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goldenlaurelleaveswrites · 3 years ago

Text

LBSC Secret Admirer Exchange 2022 -Songs, Snowballs, and Storms

This year I got to participate in the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers Secret Admirer Exchange 2022.

And, @ladybugs-and-black-cats, I’m your secret admirer!!! 💖

I didn’t have time to finish editing all of the chapters, but here is the first one! The rest will be coming soon.

Happy Valentine’s Day 💖

AO3

Chapter 1

He pulled his beanie lower over his head as he rounded the corner, hoping it would hide the blue in his hair enough for him to be able to blend into the crowd. He was grateful for his fans, he really was. If it weren’t for them, he wouldn’t be where he was now.

But there were some fans that were… very dedicated. A little too dedicated for his liking.

Usually, he didn’t have too much of a problem with them. Usually, his security team and manager were able to well… secure and manage any situations that came up. But Anya and his security team were all sick with some kind of flu.

Add in the fact that his latest album had just dropped a week ago… well, most fans were respectful of his privacy. Most didn’t mob him on the street. But there were enough that did.

He slumped his shoulders, trying to make himself look shorter than he was. If he could disappear into the crowd, he would be fine. Most people were too busy with their own business to pay attention to him. Except for the eagle-eyed fan who had been camped outside his hotel.

At least a good number of Parisians shared his love of black clothing. That helped him blend in a little bit. The bright winter sun provided a useful excuse for his dark sunglasses, which hid his eyes. And given the long sleeves of his coat, no one could pick him out of a crowd based on his tattoos. His hair and height were problematic though.

The beanie and scarf helped with the hair, but he knew bits of it were sticking out. But every time he tried to poke them under the fabric, strands would just end up poking out of another part of the hat. And as for his height… slumping was the best he could do.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. No doubt it was another text from Anya, checking in to make sure he had made it to his sister’s place ok. He was supposed to wait out the remainder of his team’s flu as far away from them as possible. Anya had told him that under no circumstances was he allowed to catch it. Not with all the press events coming up.

But the car that was supposed to have picked him up and taken him to Juleka’s place had never shown. Something about a terrible traffic jam. And then, as he had been standing outside the hotel, waiting on hold with the car company, he had seen someone across the street point at him.

And then all the other people around that person had turned to stare. And then he had seen the giant signs and t-shirts they were wearing, all with his face and various phrases plastered all over them.

And then, like a stampede, they had started crossing the street. Making a beeline right for him.

The smart thing to do would have been to turn around and duck into the hotel, where he could hide. But as Juleka loved to point out, he was an idiot. And like an idiot, he had darted off down the street, heading in the direction.

Which was how he had found himself in this situation, darting down streets and alleyways, fleeing a mob of determined fans.

He just had to make it to Juleka’s.

He repeated the words in his head like a mantra, letting the force of the words and the looming threat of fans with little regard to personal boundaries propel his feet forward. He could hear the mob behind him. Thankfully, they were still pretty far behind him.

But they were gaining fast.

He wasn’t going to make it to Juleka’s.

His eyes darted around frantically. He needed a place to hide until they lost interest or went searching for him somewhere else. But an alleyway wouldn’t provide him much cover. And he risked being cornered. The bookstore up ahead looked like it was closed.

The bank, maybe? Given the way he was dressed, if he tried to sneak in they might think he was trying to rob the place. The cafe? He would be spotted through its huge windows in an instant.

With growing desperation, he rounded the corner and his eyes landed on it.

MDC Boutique and Atelier.

The shop’s window display was full of mannequins wearing delicate dresses and lacy blouses. And a whole lot of pink. It was perfect; no one would think to look for him in a shop like that. And even if they did look in through the windows, the mannequins would block their view.

Without a second thought, he raced across the street and slipped into the boutique.

A bell tinkled pleasantly as the door opened and shut behind him. He blinked and looked around as he took tentative steps into the shop.

Everything about the shop was pleasant.

The floors were a warm, honey-coloured wood, and the walls were painted in a shade of white that had the faintest whisper of pink in it. Racks of clothes were carefully arranged throughout the floor space, displaying all sorts of dresses and skirts and coats and blouses. Soft-looking sweaters were neatly folded and stacked on shelves that ran along one wall. Pink drapes hung along the back of the store. And on the wall opposite the shelves of sweaters, cherry blossoms had been painted to frame the white countertop.

“I’ll be with you in just a moment,” a pleasant voice called out from the register. But he couldn’t see the woman from where he had hidden by the shelves of the sweaters. But he could hear her; it sounded like she was on the phone with someone.

He drifted farther towards the back of the store, placing as many garment racks between him and the windows as possible. He hadn’t come into the store to shop, but he didn’t want to look suspicious. He didn’t want the woman to think he was trying to steal anything. So as he wandered about the back of the shop, he looked at the clothes on the racks.

As a chart-topping singer, he got to wear a lot of pretty incredible clothes. Usually, those were reserved for press and performances—he preferred comfort over style—but he knew the hallmarks of high-quality clothes when he saw them. And these clothes were a step above anything he had ever worn.

The designs, while about as far from his style as possible, were artistic. And the details were exquisitely done. He pulled a dress off the rack; it was black lace with long, sheer sleeves and a sleek silhouette. It was exactly the kind of thing Juleka would wear.

“Were you shopping for anyone in particular today?” He nearly dropped the dress at the sound of the woman’s voice behind him. When he whirled around to look at her, his jaw did drop.

He was looking down into one of the loveliest faces he had ever seen. Wide blue eyes blinked up at him from under luxuriously long and dark lashes. A smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose and cheeks reminded him of tiny constellations, and her rosy lips were curved into a sweet smile. Her raven hair was swept up into a bun, but her bangs and a few stray locks framed her face.

She was wearing a soft white sweater and a pink skirt that reminded him vaguely of a rosebud. She was the very picture of soft elegance and sweetness.

“I uh…” Before he could even begin to process his thoughts, much less retrieve his vocabulary from the depths of his mind, where it had seemed to hide itself, music blared out of nowhere.

Familiar music.

The woman smiled apologetically as she pulled her phone out of her pocket. She grimaced as she looked at the caller id, and then silenced it. “I’m so sorry about that, a friend of mine tends to forget I work a regular schedule in addition to-“

“I know that song.” As soon as the words blurted out of his mouth, he wanted to slap himself. Real smooth. And the last thing he needed to do was draw any more attention to himself…

“Really? It’s my favourite!”

“Oh?” he said, rather weakly. His knees were suddenly feeling pretty weak too.

Her smile turned incandescent. “Do you listen to Luka Couffaine as well? I love his music. This is one of his very first songs- I've loved it since I first heard it. There’s so much soul and passion in it. All of his songs, really. And it's like the music just reaches out and touches my heart every time I listen to it! And his lyrics are nothing short of poetry…” the woman's eyes widened as her voice trailed off, laughing nervously.

No one had ever said anything like that about his music. At least, not to his face. And that song was her favourite? No one ever said it was their favourite. Except him.

A faint flush bloomed in her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, here I am going on about music when I should be helping you.”

“It’s fine.” He managed to squeak out. “You really like his stuff?”

“I love it! He’s a real artist; you can tell how much of himself he puts into his music. And well,” she laughed, rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment, “his stuff is really inspiring. I always listen to it when I design. But enough about me and my taste in music! Were you shopping for anyone in particular today?”

His mind was still trying to figure out how to function after everything she had just said about him and his music. Honestly, he was fairly certain his brain was still rebooting from its pretty girl meltdown. But she was looking at him expectantly. “Oh, I uhh…” he thrust out the black dress towards her. “I thought my sister might like this.”

“Oh, that’s so sweet of you. Do you know her size?”

“She’s pretty thin, but she’s really tall too. I think she might be a thirty-four or thirty-six, but I’m not sure…”

“Well, if you decide to get it for her, you can always return or exchange it if the fit isn’t right. And we do offer in-house tailoring and alterations as well… but that’s a forty-four. That would be too big for her. Let me-“ the woman yelped as she tripped, though over what he had no idea.

Without thinking, he rushed forward to steady her. But as he did, he felt his sunglasses slip down his nose. As he tried to push them up with his elbow, all he managed to do was dislodge his beanie.

The woman, now in his arms—and holy cow she was even more beautiful up close—was blinking up at him, her mouth gaping open and a dumbfounded look on her face. “You... you’re…”

They both jumped at the sound of the shop bell tinkling. Her eyes were wide, and her mouth was opening and closing. But then she straightened, stumbling back out of his arms.

She leaned back to see around the garment rack they were standing behind. He slumped a little lower as she did so. Despite the fact that mere seconds ago, she had seemed lost for words, she managed to call out in only a slightly strangled-sounding voice. “Welcome. I can be with you in just a moment, I- I‘m just with a customer now. Or if you would prefer to browse-“

“I’m looking for someone.”

The woman’s brow furrowed, and she stepped back so she was no longer hidden behind the clothing rack. “I’m sorry, but I don’t-“

“He’s tall, super hot, blue hair.” He froze. With wide eyes, he watched the woman, hoping and praying that she wouldn’t give him away.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t release any personal information about employees or customers.”

“He’s not one of your employees, and he’s obviously not a customer,” he bristled at the snide yet bored voice. “He’s a rock star. Luka Couffaine? Is he in here?”

The woman put on the kind of customer service smile he remembered from his days working at the pizza place. “I’m sorry, but there are no rockstars in here. Only clothes. You might try the record store a few blocks over?”

“Whatever,” the teen grumbled, before saying a little louder, “I told you he wouldn’t be in a place like this.”

If the comment bothered the woman, she didn’t show it. But she did watch the front of the shop with a steely gaze, holding out a hand to stop him when he tried to stand up.

Finally, she sighed. “Ok, they’re gone now.”

“Thank you so-“

It was like a switch had flipped in her; she went from standing, calm, cool, collected, to pacing in tight circles. “Oh my gosh! You’re Luka Couffaine!” The woman’s voice was fluttery and nervous sounding. It was usually a surefire sign of an oncoming gushing session. With a sigh, he put on what he was able to muster of a smile and waited for the inevitable onslaught.

“You’re Luka Couffaine and I didn’t realize it and I tried to sell you a dress and you don’t want a dress you just wanted a place to hide from the fans and I went on about your music to you…” he didn’t know how she was still talking, given she hadn’t taken a single breath. “… and you were just being polite and I was being so-“ she gasped, turning to face him. Her face was one of absolute mortification.

“I am so sorry.”

He stared at her blankly. That had... not been what he was expecting. And as her rambled words rattled around inside his head, he felt his smile growing into a genuine one. And it kept growing. It kept growing until he was grinning. And then...

He burst into laughter.

The woman gawked at him as he tried to get himself under control. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he wheezed. “I shouldn’t be laughing. But why on earth are you apologizing?”

“I-I...” the woman stammered, blinking up at him. “I must have been so embarrassing! Fawning over your music and-“

He raised a hand to cut her off, gasping for breath as he tried to get his laughter under control. “You complimented my music. And you were really sweet about it too. And you didn’t blow my cover when that fan showed up.”

“But that was just the right thing to do!” she protested.

He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Plenty of people would have sold me out. Or,” he added thoughtfully, “they would have tried to corner me themselves.”

“That’s terrible!”

“But you didn’t do any of that. You helped me. And-“ he raised his eyebrow when she tried to protest, “and you treated me like a regular customer. Like a regular person.”

She hung her head. “Until I saw who you were,” she mumbled.

“You were surprised, that’s all. Everyone gets thrown for a loop every now and again.” He certainly had been the moment he laid eyes on her. “And you’re the first person in… a long time to just treat me like a regular person.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. And it was really nice. So maybe we could keep doing that?”

“O-ok.” She looked back up at him, biting her lip. “Were you really thinking of buying a dress for your sister? Or was that a cover story? It’s ok if it is-“

He began to chuckle as she cut off her own rambling by clapping a hand over her mouth. “I did just come in here to hide initially, I won’t lie. But I really do have a sister, and I think this would look amazing on her. So if you could help me with the sizes…?”

Her smile brightened, back into the sweet and sincere smile she had given him before he blew his cover.

As she helped him pick out the right size, a thought occurred to him. “We’re kind of on unequal ground here.”

“What?”

“Well, you know my name. But I don’t know yours.”

“Oh,” she squeaked, her cheeks flushing a brighter shade of pink. “It’s Marinette. Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

“MDC, for Marinette Dupain-Cheng… wait. Dupain-Cheng like the bakery?”

She nodded brightly. “It belongs to my parents. It’s where I grew up.”

“That must have been fun, growing up in a bakery.”

“Yeah, though it could get pretty hot in the summer with the ovens on.”

“Beats having your house spring a leak. Or worse, falling overboard in the middle of the night.” He laughed when here brows furrowed in confusion. “I grew up on a houseboat.”

“Oh,” she giggled, "I can see how that could be… inconvenient.”

By the time she had picked out a size based on what he had told her about Juleka’s approximate size and height, the conversation was flowing freely. It was nice. It was better than nice. He couldn’t remember the last time he had had such an open and easy conversation with someone he hadn’t already known for years.

He didn't want it to end.

But even though he tried to drag it out by deciding to pick out something for Rose as well—he didn't want Rose to feel left out when he gave Juleka her dress��by the time Marinette was ringing up his purchases, it still wasn’t enough.

She was so easy to talk to. She was as clear as a musical note and as sincere as a melody…

“Do you have any paper and a pen I could borrow?”

Marinette handed him a piece of crisp white paper and pencil. As quickly as he could, he scribbled the words out onto the page and then tucked it safely into the inside pocket of his coat.

It had been such a long time since he had had inspiration hit him like that.

“Did the spark of inspiration strike you?” Marinette was smiling at him, leaning on the counter next to the bag with the two dresses in it.

“Yeah. How did you know?”

“My friends always tell me I get this far away, and then really serious look on my face when the inspiration strikes. And then I have to get it down on paper, even if it means sketching out ball gowns on napkins.”

He chuckled alongside her.

It had been such a long time since he had had inspiration hit him like that.

It had been even longer since someone understood him like that.

There was no way he could let this—whatever it was—go.

“Hey, this is kind of out of the blue, and there’s no pressure; you can totally say no, and I won’t be offended. But… could I take you out on a date?"

***

“Hey, Jules, I’m here!” he called as he breezed through the door to her apartment. He didn’t bother knocking; she had buzzed him up and told him to just come in.

She rounded the corner and glared at him, folding her arms across her chest as she leaned against the wall, blocking his way into the living space. “Just where have you been all this time? You were supposed to be here ages ago. When Anya called to ask me why you weren’t answering your phone, and I had to tell her you weren’t here-“

"Shoot!" He had completely forgotten about his phone. It had vibrated a few times while he was talking with Marinette, but he had been too caught up in the conversation to care. He pulled it out of his pocket. There were notifications for a bunch of missed calls from Anya and Jules, along with a bunch of text messages.

Juleka's glare melted into a glower. "Shoot? That's all you have to say for yourself?"

“I'm sorry! I got caught up hiding from some fans-“

“Are you ok?” Her annoyance instantly melted into concern as she strode over to him to inspect him for any injury.

“I’m fine. Better than that actually.” He could feel his face splitting into a grin.

She raised a perfectly groomed brow and looked at him quizzically. “What do you-“

“And I even got you and Rose presents.” He held the bag out to her. She snatched it from his grasp and peeked inside, only to gasp in delight.

“Well come in then, dummy. I’m still mad at you for making me worry though.” She added quietly as they went into the livingroom.

“I am sorry-“

“You should be,” she muttered before raising her voice. “Rose! Come in here! Luka brought up presents!”

After Rose had given him a scolding for worrying them, she and Juleka tore into the bag. He watched them cry out in delight as they inspected their new dresses. Their smiles were wide and bright.

But their smiles had nothing on the way Marinette had smiled when he asked her out. And they had nothing on his smile when she had said yes.

Next Monday couldn’t come quick enough.

#LBSC Exchange 2022 #LBSC Secret Admirer Exchange 2022 #endgame lukanette #lukanette endgame #pro lukamari

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